Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing interest of a game.SOLUTION: There are provided: start winning holes 26, 27; a through hole 632a positioned nearer on a downstream side of a game area than the start winning holes 26, 27; and a route member 640 feeding game balls which flow down nearby to the through hole 632a without entering the start winning holes 26, 27. In the case that two game balls continuously rotate in the route member, preceding game balls are accepted into a through hole 7613e formed on a central cover member 613 and game balls to follow are collided with the preceding game balls, so that the following game balls are rebounded on the side of the through hole 632a. As a result, it is possible to make ball entry into the through hole 632a easy, so that interest of a game can be enhanced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 111

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Among gaming machines such as pachinko machines, there is known a gaming machine that is equipped with a first ball entrance and a second ball entrance (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-013496 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned gaming machine has a problem in that it is not able to provide sufficient interest to the player.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and has an object to provide a gaming machine that can improve the enjoyment of the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 comprises a first ball inlet and a second ball inlet arranged downstream of the first ball inlet in a gaming area, and comprises a path forming means for forming a path through which gaming balls that do not enter the first ball inlet but flow down can flow down, a gaming board on the front side of which the gaming area is formed, and a plate-like guide member that is formed so as to be able to protrude toward the front side of the gaming board and to be able to retreat from the front side, and the path forming means comprises a receiving section that receives gaming balls that do not enter the first ball inlet but flow down, and an outflow section that causes gaming balls that have flowed in from the receiving section to flow out from the path, and is formed from a light-transmitting material, The entrance section is disposed upstream of the guide member, and game balls flowing down the path are guided by the guide member protruding toward the front side of the game board, and can enter the second ball entrance after being discharged from the outlet section, the second ball entrance is disposed closer to the horizontal center of the game area than the first ball entrance in a front view, and the game machine is formed so that at least a part of a specific ball entrance area can overlap with at least a part of the guide member below the guide member in the direction of gravity in a front view, and the game machine is equipped with a guide means configured to be able to guide game balls guided by the guide member to the second ball entrance. El .

[0007]

[0008] [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the gaming machine of claim 1, it is possible to improve the enjoyment of the game.

[0010]

[0011] [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] This is a front view of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 9] This is a rear view of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 10] This is an oblique view of the front of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 11] This is a rear perspective view of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 12] This is an exploded front oblique view of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 13] This is an exploded rear perspective view of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] 10(a) to 10(c) are enlarged partial rear views of the center frame. [Figure 17] 10(a) to 10(c) are partially enlarged front views of the center frame. [Figure 18] FIG. 2(a) is a partially enlarged front view of the center frame in a first state, and FIG. 2(b) is a partially enlarged front view of the center frame in a third state. [Figure 19] 19(a) is a front view of the intermediate member, (b) is a rear view of the intermediate member, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member taken along line XIXc-XIXc in FIG. 19(a). [Figure 20] FIG. 20(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the intermediate member, and FIG. 20(b) is an exploded rear perspective view of the intermediate member. [Figure 21]21(a) is a front view of the center frame and the intermediate member, (b) is a side view of the center frame and the intermediate member, and (c) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the center frame and the intermediate member taken along line XXIc-XXIc in FIG. 21(a). [Figure 22] 10(a) to 10(c) are front views of the center frame and the intermediate member. [Figure 23] 10(a) to 10(c) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of the center frame and the intermediate member. [Figure 24] 1(a) to 1(c) are cross-sectional views of a center frame and an intermediate member. [Figure 25] 25(a) is a front view of the rear member, (b) is a rear view of the rear member, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rear member taken along line XXVc-XXVc in FIG. 25(a). [Figure 26] FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. [Figure 28] 28(a) to 28(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear member taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG. 25. [Figure 29] 10(a) to 10(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear member. [Figure 30] FIG. 1(a) is a front view of the intermediate member and the rear member, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 31] 30(a) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member taken along line XXXIa-XXXIa in FIG. 30(a), and FIG. 30(b) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member taken along line XXXIb-XXXIb in FIG. 30(b). [Figure 32] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 33] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 34] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 35] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 36]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 37] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 38] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 39] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 40] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 41] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 42] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 43] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 44] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 45] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 46] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 47] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 48] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 49] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 50] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 51] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 52] 1(a) is a front view of the rear base, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view of the rear base. [Figure 53] FIG. [Figure 54] FIG. [Figure 55] 53(a) to 53(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear base taken along the line LV-LV in FIG. 52. [Figure 56] FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the variable unit, and FIG. 2(b) is a top view of the variable unit. [Figure 57]FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a main body of the variable unit. [Figure 58] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the main body of the variable unit. [Figure 59] FIG. [Figure 60] FIG. [Figure 61] FIG. [Figure 62] FIG. 2 is a top view of the variable unit. [Figure 63] FIG. 2 is a top view of the variable unit. [Figure 64] FIG. 2 is a top view of the variable unit. [Figure 65] 10(a) to 10(c) are top views of the variable unit. [Figure 66] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the rotation transfer ball portion of the variable unit. [Figure 67] FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rotating ball portion of the variable unit. [Figure 68] (a) is a side view of the rotating body, (b) is a top view of the rotating body, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line LXVIIIc-LXVIIIc in Figure 68(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line LXVIIId-LXVIIId in Figure 68(b). [Figure 69] 56(a) to 56(c) are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of the displacement unit taken along line LXIX-LXIX in FIG. 56(a). [Figure 70] 10(a) to 10(c) are partial top views of the displacement unit. [Figure 71] FIG. 2A is a front view of the variable unit and the rear base, and FIG. 2B is a top view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 72] 10(a) to 10(c) are top views of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 73] 72(a) to 72(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit and the rear base taken along line LXXIII-LXXIII in FIG. 72(a). [Figure 74]71(a) to 71(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit and the rear base taken along line LXXIV-LXXIV in FIG. 71(b). [Figure 75] 1A is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base in a state before the stopper portion is displaced, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base in a state after the stopper portion is displaced. [Figure 76] FIG. 2 is a top view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 77] FIG. 2 is a top view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 78] FIG. 2 is a top view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 79] 10(a) to 10(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 80] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 81] (a) is a front view of the winning port unit, and (b) is a rear view of the winning port unit. [Figure 82] An exploded front oblique view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 83] An exploded rear oblique view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 84] 1A is a front view of the variable winning device, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the variable winning device. [Figure 85] 1(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the variable winning device, and FIG. 1(b) is an exploded rear perspective view of the variable winning device. [Figure 86] (a) is a front view of the winning port unit, and (b) is a top view of the winning port unit. [Figure 87] 86(a) and 86(b) are partial front views of the winning slot unit in range LXXXVII of FIG. [Figure 88] (a) is a top view of the prize slot unit, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the prize slot unit taken along line LXXXVIIIb-LXXXVIIIb in Figure 88(a), and Figure 88(c) is a cross-sectional view of the prize slot unit taken along line LXXXVIIIc-LXXXVIIIc in Figure 81(a). [Figure 89] (a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the prize slot unit. [Figure 90] (a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the prize slot unit. [Figure 91] 91(a) is a front view of the variable unit in the second embodiment, (b) is a top view of the variable unit, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit taken along line XCIc-XCIc in FIG. 91(b). [Figure 92] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the variable unit. [Figure 93] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the variable unit. [Figure 94] (a) is a front view of the magnet, (b) is a top view of the magnet, and (c) is a side view of the magnet. [Figure 95] 10(a) to 10(c) are top views of the variable unit. [Figure 96] (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable unit 2360 taken along line XCVIa-XCVIa in Figure 95(a), (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable unit taken along line XCVIb-XCVIb in Figure 95(b), and (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable unit taken along line XCVIc-XCVIc in Figure 95(c). [Figure 97] (a) is a side view of the rotating body in the third embodiment, (b) is a top view of the rotating body, (c) is a cross-sectional view along line XCVIIc-XCVIIc in Figure 97(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view along line XCVIId-XCVIId in Figure 97(b). [Figure 98] 10(a) and 10(b) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit. [Figure 99] (a) is a side view of the rotating body in the fourth embodiment, (b) is a top view of the rotating body, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body along line XCIXc-XCIXc in Figure 99(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body along line XCIXd-XCIXd in Figure 99(b). [Figure 100] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 101]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 102] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 103] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective front view of a rotating body according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 104] (a) is a side view of the rotating body, (b) is a top view of the rotating body, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body along line CIVc-CIVc in Figure 104(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body along line CIVd-CIVd in Figure 104(b). [Figure 105] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 106] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 107] FIG. 10(a) is a front view of the winning port unit in the sixth embodiment, and (b) is a rear view of the winning port unit. [Figure 108] An exploded oblique front view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 109] A front view of the prize slot unit in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 110] An exploded oblique front view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 111] 109(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the prize slot unit taken along line CXI-CXI in FIG. [Figure 112] An exploded oblique front view of the prize slot unit in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 113] 113(a) is a front view of the pathway member, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the pathway member taken along line CXIIIb-CXIIIb in FIG. 113(a). [Figure 114] FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the pathway member, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the pathway member. [Figure 115] FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the pathway member, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the pathway member. [Figure 116] FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the pathway member, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the pathway member. [Figure 117]A front view of the prize slot unit in the 9th embodiment. [Figure 118] An exploded oblique front view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 119] 10(a) and 10(b) are front views of the path member. [Figure 120] 10(a) and 10(b) are front views of a path member. [Figure 121] (a) and (b) are front views of the prize slot unit. [Figure 122] (a) and (b) are front views of the prize slot unit. [Figure 123] 13A is a top view of a path switching member according to a tenth embodiment, FIG. 13B is a front view of the path switching member, and FIG. 13C is an exploded perspective front view of the path switching member. [Figure 124] (a) is a top view of the path switching element and each path, (b) is a side view of the path switching element and each path as viewed in the direction of arrow CXXIVb in Figure 124(a), and (c) is a side view of the path switching element and each path as viewed in the direction of arrow CXXIVc in Figure 124(a). [Figure 125] FIG. 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Figure 126] FIG. 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Figure 127] FIG. 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Figure 128] FIG. 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Figure 129] FIG. 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Figure 130] FIG. 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Figure 131]A front view of the prize slot unit in the 11th embodiment. [Figure 132] An exploded oblique front view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 133] This is an exploded oblique rear view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 134] (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the prize slot unit taken along line CXXXIV-CXXXIV in Figure 131. [Figure 135] (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the prize slot unit. [Figure 136] 10(a) and 10(c) are cross-sectional views of the prize slot unit. [Figure 137] 10(a) is a time chart showing the change over time in the amount of displacement of the variable plate, and FIG. 10(b) is a time chart showing the change over time in the amount of displacement of the variable plate in the first embodiment. [Figure 138] (a) is a side view of the rotating body, (b) is a top view of the rotating body, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line CXXXVIIIc-CXXXVIIIc in Figure 138(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line CXXXVIIId-CXXXVIIId in Figure 138(b). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 90, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described as a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of a game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, pachinko machine 10 comprises outer frame 11, an outer shell formed by wooden frames assembled into a substantially rectangular shape, and inner frame 12, which is formed to have substantially the same external shape as outer frame 11 and is supported so as to be able to open and close relative to outer frame 11. Metal hinges 18 are attached to outer frame 11 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), in order to support inner frame 12, and inner frame 12 is supported so as to be able to open and close towards the front, with the side where hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0015] A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having numerous nails and winning holes 26, 27, 28, 63, etc. is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 12. A pinball game is played by balls (game balls) flowing down the front of the game board 13. Attached to the inner frame 12 are a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches balls into the front area of ​​the game board 13, a launching rail (not shown) that guides the game balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of ​​the game board 13, and the like.

[0016] On the front side of the inner frame 12, there is a front frame 14 that covers the upper front side, and a lower tray unit 15 that covers the lower side. To support the front frame 14 and the lower tray unit 15, metal hinges 19 are attached at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), and the front frame 14 and the lower tray unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front, with the side where the hinges 19 are installed serving as the opening and closing axis. The locks on the inner frame 12 and the front frame 14 can be unlocked by inserting a dedicated key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a specified operation.

[0017] The front frame 14 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window 14c formed as a roughly oval opening in the approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass plates is disposed on the back side of the front frame 14, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

[0018] In the front frame 14, an upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top that protrudes toward the front, and prize balls, loan balls, etc. are discharged onto this upper tray 17. The bottom of the upper tray 17 is formed to slope downward to the right when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and this slope guides game balls dropped into the upper tray 17 to the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4). In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the top surface of the upper tray 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, to change the stage of the effect displayed on the third symbol display device (not shown) or to change the content of the super reach effect.

[0019] The front frame 14 is provided with various light-emitting devices such as lamps around its periphery (e.g., corners). These light-emitting devices change their light-emitting modes by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state, such as when a jackpot is hit or a predetermined reach is reached, thereby enhancing the presentation effects during play. The periphery of the window 14c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 10, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps, such as jackpot lamps. When a jackpot is hit or a reach presentation is being performed, the built-in LEDs cause each illumination unit 29-33 to light up or blink, thereby indicating that a jackpot is being achieved or that the player is in a reach phase just before a jackpot. Furthermore, the upper left corner of the front frame 14, as viewed from the front (see Figure 1), is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs, which can indicate when prize balls are being paid out and when an error has occurred.

[0020] Additionally, a small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the underside of the right-side illumination unit 32 from the backside so that the backside of the front frame 14 can be seen, and certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see Figure 2) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Additionally, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination units 29 to 33 to create a more dazzling appearance.

[0021] A ball dispensing operation unit 40 is disposed below the window 14c. The ball dispensing operation unit 40 includes a number display unit 41, a ball dispensing button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball dispensing unit) (not shown) located on the side of the pachinko machine 10, game balls are dispensed in accordance with the operation. Specifically, the number display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and an internal LED lights up to display the remaining balance numerically as the remaining balance information. The ball dispensing button 42 is operated to obtain dispensed balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and dispensed balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated to request the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where game balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispensing device to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation area of ​​the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to standardize pachinko machines that use card units and cash machines.

[0022] The lower tray unit 15, located below the upper tray 17, has a lower tray 50 in the center, which is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top, for storing game balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 17. On the right side of the lower tray 50, an operating handle 51 is provided which is operated by the player to shoot the ball into the front of the game board 13.

[0023] The operating handle 51 contains a touch sensor 51a for permitting the operation of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b that stops the launch of game balls while the switch is pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) that detects the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51 by changes in electrical resistance. When the operating handle 51 is rotated clockwise by a player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the amount of rotation, and the game ball is launched with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, thereby hitting the game ball toward the front of the game board 13 at a distance corresponding to the player's operation. When the operating handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are off.

[0024] A ball removal lever 52 is provided on the lower front portion of the lower tray 50 to be operated when discharging game balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball removal lever 52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, a bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and game balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are discharged. This ball removal lever 52 is usually operated with a box (commonly called a "senryo box") placed below the lower tray 50 to receive game balls discharged from the lower tray 50. As mentioned above, the operating handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray 50, and an ashtray 53 is attached to the left side of the lower tray 50.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the game board 13 is equipped with a base plate 60 cut into an approximately square shape when viewed from the front, and is equipped with numerous nails (not shown) and a windmill for guiding balls, as well as rails 61 and 62, two general winning openings 63, a relatively large movable ball entry device 300, a left start winning opening 26 located at the lower left of the movable ball entry device 300, a middle start winning opening 28 located at the center, and a right start winning opening 27 located at the lower right, and its peripheral portion is attached to the back side of the inner frame 12 (see Figure 1).

[0026] The base plate 60 is made of a light-transmitting resin material and is formed so that the player can see the various structures arranged on the rear side of the base plate 60 from the front side.

[0027] The general winning port 63, left start winning port 26, right start winning port 27, center start winning port 28, and movable ball winning device 300 are arranged in through holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and are fixed from the front side of the game board 13 by tapping screws or the like.

[0028] A game ball thrown into the game area will randomly enter the normal winning hole 63, the left start winning hole 26, the middle start winning hole 28 or the right start winning hole 27 as it flows down, or will enter the movable ball entry device 300 when activated (open).

[0029] The game balls that enter each winning hole are collected on the back side of the game board 13 through through holes formed in the game board 13.

[0030] On the other hand, the game balls that flow into the movable ball entry device 300 undergo further processes such as flowing down, rolling, and rising inside the device, where they are sorted, and then discharged and collected behind the game board 13. The sorting operation within the movable ball entry device 300 will be described later with reference to another drawing.

[0031] The movable ball entry device 300 operates when a specific condition is met (for example, when a gaming ball enters the left start winning slot 26, the center start winning slot 28, or the right start winning slot 27, and a predetermined special symbol is displayed in a stopped state in the form of a small win), and allows gaming balls to flow in. That is, the movable ball entry device 300 has a wing portion 312 (a so-called wing member) provided at an upper position of the gaming area, and this wing portion 312 rotates back and forth by a predetermined angle along the board surface by the action of a link mechanism using, for example, a solenoid 317 (see Figure 14).

[0032] The wing portions 312 are in a substantially upright position, preventing game balls from flowing into the movable ball entry device 300 at any time. When the movable ball entry device 300 is activated, the wing portions 312 are displaced so as to fall to the left or right within the play area around their base ends, thereby allowing game balls to flow into the movable ball entry device 300. Because the wing portions 312 are located at an upper position within the play area, particularly near the position where the game ball is first shot in, when the movable ball entry device 300 is activated, the game ball that is shot into the play area is guided by the nails at the upper position and easily reaches the wing portions 312, and is then guided by the wing portions 312 to flow into the movable ball entry device 300.

[0033] The movable ball entry device 300 also operates when a specified condition is met (when the gaming ball passes through any of the specific areas provided inside the movable ball entry device 300), allowing the ball to enter the movable ball entry device 300. The specific areas inside the movable ball entry device 300 will be described in more detail below.

[0034] Also, a variable board 352 (see FIG. 12), which will be described later, is arranged inside the movable ball entry device 300. The variable board 352 performs a sorting operation to guide the gaming ball to either the normal route or the special route. If the gaming ball is guided to the normal route, the probability of a subsequent jackpot is low, but if the gaming ball is guided to the special route, the probability of a subsequent jackpot is higher compared to when the gaming ball is guided to the normal route.

[0035] The central front portion of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through a window portion 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14. The configuration of the game board 13 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0036] An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a generally arcuate shape is set up on the front of the gaming board 13, and an inner rail 61, also formed from a strip-shaped metal plate like the outer rail 62, is set up inside the outer rail 62. The outer periphery of the front of the gaming board 13 is surrounded by the inner rail 61 and the outer rail 62, and the front and back are surrounded by the gaming board 13 and the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1), so that a gaming area where games are played based on the behavior of the balls is formed in front of the gaming board 13. The gaming area is an area (an area where winning slots and the like are arranged and where launched gaming balls flow down) defined in front of the gaming board 13 by the two rails 61, 62 and the resin outer edge member 73 connecting the rails.

[0037] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the game balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) to the top of the game board 13. A ball return prevention member 68 is attached to the tip (upper left in FIG. 2) of the inner rail 61, preventing a game ball that has been guided to the top of the game board 13 from returning into the ball guide passage. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip (upper right in FIG. 2) of the outer rail 62 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight point of the ball, and a game ball launched with more than a predetermined force hits the return rubber 69 and is bounced back toward the center while its force is attenuated.

[0038] First symbol display devices 37A and 37B, each equipped with a plurality of LEDs and a 7-segment display as light-emitting means, are disposed in the lower left portion of the game area as viewed from the front (lower left portion of FIG. 2). The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B display information according to the controls performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and primarily display the game status of the pachinko machine 10. In this embodiment, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are configured to be selectively used depending on whether the ball has entered the left or right start winning slot 26 or 27 or the center start winning slot 28. Specifically, when the ball has entered the left or right start winning slot 26 or 27, the first symbol display device 37A is activated, whereas when the ball has entered the center start winning slot 28, the first symbol display device 37B is activated.

[0039] Furthermore, the first symbol display devices 37A, 37B use LEDs to indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in time-saving or normal mode, whether it is fluctuating, whether the stopped symbol corresponds to a small win, and the number of reserved balls, and also use a 7-segment display device to display the number of rounds during a big win and errors. The multiple LEDs are configured so that each LED emits a different light color (for example, red, green, or blue), and by combining these light colors, it is possible to indicate various game states of the pachinko machine 10 with a small number of LEDs.

[0040] In this pachinko machine 10, a lottery (a lottery to determine whether or not the gaming ball flowing down the movable ball entry device 300 passes through a specific area) is held when the first sensor 311b wins. In the lottery, the pachinko machine 10 determines whether or not there is a jackpot (jackpot lottery), and if there is a jackpot, it also determines the type of jackpot. The types of jackpots that can be determined here include a 16R jackpot, a 7R jackpot, and a 3R jackpot. In the case of a jackpot, a pattern corresponding to the type of jackpot is displayed on the first symbol display devices 37A, 37B.

[0041] Here, a "16R jackpot" refers to a jackpot with a maximum of 16 rounds, a "7R jackpot" refers to a jackpot with a maximum of 7 rounds, and a "3R jackpot" refers to a jackpot with a maximum of 3 rounds.

[0042] One round is a unit that divides the number of prize balls in a jackpot. In this embodiment, during one round, the wing portion 312 tilts, the first sensor 311b (see FIG. 14) is opened, and the round ends when 30 seconds have passed or when 10 game balls have passed the first sensor 311b. Since 10 prize balls are awarded for each game ball that passes the first sensor 311b, approximately 100 prize balls can be won per round.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first round ends when the game ball passes through the V-shaped winning member 382 (see FIG. 10), so there are no prize balls in the first round. That is, a 3R jackpot can give a maximum of about 200 prize balls, a 7R jackpot can give a maximum of about 600 prize balls, and a 16R jackpot can give a maximum of about 1,500 prize balls.

[0044] The time-saving state (during time-saving) refers to a game state in which the probability of winning the jackpot remains the same, but only the probability of winning the second symbol increases, making it easier for the game ball to enter the middle start winning slot 28. On the other hand, the pachinko machine 10 is in a normal game state that is not during time-saving (a state in which the probability of winning the second symbol has not increased).

[0045] During the time-saving period, not only does the probability of winning the second symbol increase, but the time for which the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 attached to the medium start winning opening 28 is open is also changed and set to a longer time than during normal play. When the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in an open state (open state), it becomes easier for the game ball to win the medium start winning opening 28 compared to when the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in a closed state (closed state). Therefore, during the time-saving period, it becomes easier for the game ball to win the medium start winning opening 28, and it becomes easier to put the wing portion 312 into the open state.

[0046] During the time-saving period, instead of changing the opening time of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 associated with the medium start winning opening 28, or in addition to changing the opening time, a change may be made to increase the number of times the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 opens in one win compared to during normal play. Also, during the time-saving period, the probability of winning the second symbol may not be changed, but at least one of the opening time of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 associated with the medium start winning opening 28 and the number of times the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 opens in one win may be changed. Also, during the time-saving period, the opening time of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 associated with the medium start winning opening 28 and the number of times the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 opens in one win may not be changed, but only the probability of winning the second symbol may be changed to be higher compared to during normal play.

[0047] The game area is provided with a plurality of general winning holes 63, from which 5 to 15 game balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters. A movable ball entry device 300 is also provided in the center of the game area. The movable ball entry device 300 is provided with a wing 312 that opens and closes in synchronization with the variable display of the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, triggered by a win (a start win) in the left and right start entry holes 26 and 27 and the center start entry hole 28, and a second symbol display device (not shown) comprised of an LED that variably displays a second symbol, triggered by the passage of a game ball through the through gate 67. A center frame 86 is also provided around the movable ball entry device 300.

[0048] The second symbol display device performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol are alternately lit for a predetermined time as a display symbol (second symbol (not shown)) each time the ball passes through the through gate 67. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the through gate 67, a winning lottery is held. If the result of the winning lottery is a winning lottery, the second symbol display device displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol is displayed in a variable manner. If the result of the winning lottery is a losing lottery, the second symbol display device displays a static "x" symbol after the second symbol is displayed in a variable manner.

[0049] The pachinko machine 10 is configured so that when the variable display in the second pattern display device stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, the ``○'' pattern), the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 attached to the intermediate start winning port 28 is activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time.

[0050] The time required for the variable display of the second symbol is set to be shorter during the time-saving mode than during the normal game mode. As a result, the variable display of the second symbol is performed in a shorter time during the time-saving mode, allowing for more winning lotteries to be held than during the normal mode. This increases the chances of winning in the winning lottery, giving players more opportunities to open the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 of the medium start winning slot 28. Therefore, during the time-saving mode, it is possible to create a state in which it is easier for the game ball to enter the medium start winning slot 28.

[0051] Note that, if the game ball is made more likely to enter the medium start winning slot 28 during the time-saving period by other methods, such as increasing the probability of winning or increasing the opening time or number of times that the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is opened per winning, the time required for the variable display of the second symbol may be kept constant regardless of the game state. On the other hand, if the time required for the variable display of the second symbol is set shorter during the time-saving period than during normal play, the probability of winning may be kept constant regardless of the game state, and the opening time or number of times that the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is opened per winning may be kept constant regardless of the game state.

[0052] The through gates 67 are attached to the game board on the left and right of the movable ball entry device 300, and are configured to allow some of the game balls launched onto the game board to pass through. When a game ball passes through the through gates 67, a lottery is held to determine whether a second symbol will win. After the lottery, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the result of the lottery is a win, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display, and if the result of the lottery is a loss, an "X" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display.

[0053] The number of times that a ball passes through the through gate 67 can be reserved up to a maximum of four times in total, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the above-mentioned first symbol display devices 37A, 37B, and is also displayed by lighting up the second symbol reservation lamp (not shown). Four second symbol reservation lamps are provided, the number being the maximum number of reserved balls, and are arranged symmetrically below the movable ball entry device 300.

[0054] In addition, the variable display of the second symbol may be performed by switching on and off multiple lamps in the second symbol display device, as in this embodiment, or may be performed using the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B and a part of the movable ball-entry device 300. Similarly, the second symbol reserve lamp may be lit by a part of the movable ball-entry device 300. Furthermore, the maximum number of reserved balls for game balls passing through the through gate 67 is not limited to four, but may be set to three or less, or five or more times (e.g., eight times). Furthermore, the number of installed through gates 67 is not limited to one, but may be multiple (e.g., two). Furthermore, the installation position of the through gate 67 is not limited to the left or right of the movable ball-entry device 300, but may be, for example, above the movable ball-entry device 300. Furthermore, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, the second symbol reserve lamp may not be illuminated.

[0055] Left and right start winning holes 26, 27 into which a ball can enter are arranged on the left and right below the movable ball entry device 300. When a game ball enters these left and right start winning holes 26, 27, a left start winning hole switch 210a and a right start winning hole switch 210b provided on the back side of the game board 13 are turned on, and a lottery is held by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4) due to the left start winning hole switch 210a and the right start winning hole switch 210b being turned on, and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first pattern display device 37A, and the wing portion 312 opens a predetermined number of times (once in this embodiment) and closes after a predetermined period of time (0.5 seconds in this embodiment).

[0056] Meanwhile, a middle start winning hole 28 into which a ball can enter is disposed at the center side as viewed from the front of the left and right start winning holes 26, 27. When a game ball enters this middle start winning hole 28, a middle start winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the middle start winning hole switch is turned on, a lottery is conducted by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first pattern display device 37B, and the wing portion 312 repeatedly opens and closes a predetermined number of times (twice in this embodiment) (the opening period is 0.5 seconds, and the interval between the first and second openings is 2 seconds).

[0057] A lottery is held for each of the starting winning slots 26, 27, and 28 so that there is a 1 / 1 chance of winning a small prize. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no lottery for a big prize when a gaming ball passes through each of the starting winning slots 26, 27, and 28. After the lottery, after a randomly selected opening period (1 to 5 seconds), the wing portion 312 opens and closes a predetermined number of times.

[0058] Furthermore, the left and right start winning openings 26, 27 and the center start winning opening 28 each serve as a winning opening from which five game balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the left and right start winning openings 26, 27 is the same as the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the center start winning opening 28, but the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the left and right start winning openings 26, 27 and the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the center start winning opening 28 may be different numbers; for example, the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the left and right start winning openings 26, 27 may be three, and the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the center start winning opening 28 may be five.

[0059] A variable winning device 650 is attached to the medium start winning opening 28. A variable plate 652 of this variable winning device 650 is configured to be able to open and close, and normally the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in a closed state (reduced state), making it difficult for the ball to win the medium start winning opening 28. On the other hand, when a "○" symbol is displayed on the second symbol display device as a result of the variable display of the second symbol, which is performed in response to the passage of the gaming ball through the through gate 67, the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in an open state (expanded state), making it easier for the ball to win the medium start winning opening 28.

[0060] As described above, during the time-saving mode, the probability of winning the second symbol is higher than during normal play, and the time it takes for the second symbol to change is shorter, so the "circle" symbol is more likely to appear in the change display of the second symbol, and the number of times that the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in the open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the time-saving mode, the time that the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is open is longer than during normal play. Therefore, during the time-saving mode, it is possible to create a state in which the game ball is more likely to win the medium start winning hole 28 than during normal play.

[0061] The probability of a 16R jackpot being selected as the type of jackpot when a jackpot occurs is set higher when a game ball enters the center start winning slot 28 than when a game ball enters the left and right start winning slots 26, 27 (this makes it easier to enter multiple game balls at once into the movable ball entry device 300). On the other hand, the left and right start winning slots 26, 27 do not have an electric device like the center start winning slot 28, and are always in a state where balls can enter.

[0062] A first sensor 311b is disposed on the top of the movable ball entry device 300. In the pachinko machine 10, after a game ball enters one of the left and right start entry slots 26, 27 or the center start entry slot 28, if a jackpot occurs due to the game ball entering the movable ball entry device 300 passing through the V entry member 382, ​​after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed, the first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device 37B is illuminated to display a jackpot stop symbol, and a stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on a portion of the movable ball entry device 300, indicating the occurrence of a jackpot. The game state then transitions to a special game state (jackpot, jackpot game) in which the ball is more likely to enter. In this special game state, the wing portion 312, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (e.g., until 30 seconds have elapsed or until 10 balls have entered).

[0063] The blades 312 close after a predetermined time has elapsed, and after this closing, the blades 312 are opened again for a predetermined time. The opening and closing operation of the blades 312 can be repeated up to, for example, 15 times (for 16 rounds excluding the first round). The state in which this opening and closing operation is being performed is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is paid out a larger number of prize balls than usual as an added value in the game (game value).

[0064] The special game state is not limited to the above-described form. A large opening that opens and closes separately from the blade 312 may be provided in the game area, and when an LED corresponding to a jackpot is lit in the first symbol display device 37A, 37B, the blade 312 is opened for a predetermined time. While the blade 312 is open, a ball enters the first sensor 311b, triggering the large opening provided separately from the blade 312 to open for a predetermined number of times and for a predetermined time, forming a game state that serves as a special game state. Furthermore, the number of first sensors 311b is not limited to one, and one or more (e.g., three) may be provided. The location of the first sensor 311b is not limited to the upper side of the movable ball entry device 300, but may be, for example, below the left and right starting entry ports 26, 27.

[0065] An attachment space K1 is provided in the right corner of the lower side of the game board 13 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc., and the stamps, etc. attached to the attachment space K1 can be seen through a small window 35 in the front frame 14 (see Figure 1).

[0066] The game board 13 is provided with an outlet 71. Game balls flowing down the game area that do not enter any of the winning holes 26, 27, 28, 63 are guided through the outlet 71 to a ball discharge path (not shown). All game balls that are shot into the game area, including game balls that enter the movable ball entry device 300, are collected on the back side of the game board 13. The collected game balls are discharged outside the frame from the back side of the pachinko machine 10 through an outlet passage assembly (not shown), and then merge with a supply path for the island equipment (not shown).

[0067] The game board 13 has many nails planted thereon to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and is also provided with various components (apparatuses) such as windmills.

[0068] An example of gameplay of the gaming machine according to this embodiment will now be described. The objective of the game according to this embodiment is to have the gaming ball pass through the V-shaped winning element 382, ​​transition to a special game state, and obtain a prize ball. To achieve this, the player adjusts the strength of the ball to slide down the upper surface of the center frame 86. As a result, when the gaming ball hits multiple nails and enters each of the starting winning holes 26, 27, and 28, the wing portion 312 opens. If the gaming ball can be timed to enter the movable ball entry device 300, the gaming ball will pass through the V-shaped winning element 382 depending on the subsequent flow of the gaming ball. The player can visually observe the flow of the gaming ball and enjoy watching the actual movement of the gaming ball to determine whether they will win a jackpot or lose.

[0069] That is, the first condition for winning a jackpot is to open the wing portion 312, and the second condition is to make the game ball enter the movable ball entry device 300 when the movable piece 190b opens.

[0070] Therefore, a hitting technique that does not allow the game ball to reach the center frame 86 (so-called "shoro hit") or a hitting technique that allows the game ball to reach the return rubber 69 (so-called "right hit") is disadvantageous for winning a jackpot in this embodiment.

[0071] As will be described later, this embodiment employs a structure that makes it easier to win a jackpot when two game balls simultaneously enter the movable ball entry device 300. Therefore, the player aims to have two game balls enter the movable ball entry device 300, one on each side, by shooting the game balls at the upper end (the apex of the pointed triangle) of the center frame 86, scattering the game balls to the left and right, and thereby making it easier to win a jackpot.

[0072] As shown in Figure 3, the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is a unit equipped with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113), and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is a unit equipped with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115), and a card unit connection board 116.

[0073] The back pack unit 94 is a unit consisting of the back pack 92 that forms the protective cover and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each function, ports for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as needed.

[0074] The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each housed in board boxes 100 to 104. The board boxes 100 to 104 are equipped with a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to house the respective control devices and boards.

[0075] Furthermore, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) have their box bases and box covers connected (connected by a crimping structure) by a sealing unit (not shown) so that they cannot be opened. A sealing seal (not shown) is attached to the connecting portion between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcibly open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0076] The payout unit 93 includes a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently sloping downstream, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and dispensing game balls using a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see Figure 4). The tank 130 is successively replenished with game balls supplied from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and the payout device 133 appropriately dispenses the required number of game balls. A vibrator 134 is attached to the tank rail 131 to apply vibrations to the tank rail 131.

[0077] In addition, the payout control device 111 is provided with a state restoration switch 120, the firing control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob 121, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM deletion switch 122. The state restoration switch 120 is operated to resolve ball jamming (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor 216 (see Figure 4). The operation knob 121 is operated to adjust the firing force of the firing solenoid. The RAM deletion switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine 10 to its initial state.

[0078] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0079] The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201, which is a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The MPU 201 contains a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when the control programs stored in the ROM 202 are executed, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. The main control device 110 uses the MPU 201 to execute the main processes of the pachinko machine 10, such as setting the display on the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B and drawing the display results on the second symbol display device.

[0080] In addition, in order to instruct sub-controllers such as the dispensing control unit 111 and the voice lamp control unit 113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers via a data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers.

[0081] The RAM 203 has various areas, counters, flags, a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 201, and a work area (working region) for storing values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. The RAM 203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

[0082] When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the stack pointer and the values ​​of each register at the time of the power outage (including when a power outage occurs; the same applies below) are stored in RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including when the power is turned on after the power outage is resolved; the same applies below), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power was turned off based on the information stored in RAM 203. Writing to RAM 203 is executed by main processing (see FIG. 4) when the power is turned off, and the restoration of each value written to RAM 203 is executed in the start-up processing when the power is turned on (see FIG. 4). Note that, when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal SG1 is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of MPU 201 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to MPU 201, NMI interrupt processing as a power outage processing is immediately executed.

[0083] An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 is connected to the payout control device 111, the sound lamp control device 113, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, the second symbol display device, the second symbol hold lamp, and various solenoid motors 209 consisting of a large opening solenoid 209a for driving the opening and closing rotation to the left and right around the lower side of the blade portion 312 of the first sensor 311b as an axis, an electric accessory solenoid 209b for driving the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650, or a motor, and the like, and the MPU 201 transmits various commands and control signals to these via the input / output port 205.

[0084] The various direct switches 210, which are different from the various switches 208 and are directly involved in the benefits given to the player, are connected directly to the MPU 201 without going through the input / output port 205.

[0085] The various solenoid motors 209 include at least a solenoid 317 for driving the opening and closing rotation to the left and right around the lower edge of the wing portion 312 of the first sensor 311b as an axis, a solenoid 655 for driving the opening and closing of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650, and a drive motor 376R for driving the rotation of the rotating bodies 372R and 372L.

[0086] The various direct switches 210 include a left start winning port switch, a right start winning port switch, and a center start winning port switch, which are not shown.

[0087] In addition, the input / output port 205 is connected to various switches 208 consisting of a group of switches (not shown) and a group of sensors including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, as well as a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 (described below) provided in the power supply device 115, and the MPU 201 performs various processes based on signals output from the various switches 208 and a RAM erasure signal SG2 output from the RAM erasure switch circuit 253.

[0088] The payout control device 111 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by driving a payout motor 216. The MPU 211, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 212 that stores control programs executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 213 that is used as a work memory, etc.

[0089] The RAM 213 of the payout control device 111, like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 211 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. Like the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is also configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power is cut off due to a power outage or the like. When the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage process.

[0090] An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 215 is connected to the main control device 110, payout motor 216, launch control device 112, etc. Also, although not shown, a prize ball detection switch for detecting paid-out prize balls is connected to the payout control device 111. Note that this prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but is not connected to the main control device 110.

[0091] When the main control device 110 issues an instruction to launch a gaming ball, the launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the gaming ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51. The ball launch unit 112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and electromagnet are permitted to operate when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle 51, and when the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the ball launch is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited in accordance with the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51, and the gaming ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51.

[0092] The audio lamp control device 113 controls the output of audio from an audio output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of turning on and off lights from a lamp display device (such as illumination units 29 to 33 and display lamp 34) 227, and the setting of the display mode of a 7-segment display performed by the display control device 114, such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance. The MPU 221, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 222 that stores control programs executed by the MPU 221, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0093] An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the audio and lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 225 is connected to the main control device 110, the display control device 114, an audio output device 226, a lamp display device 227, other devices 228, the frame button 22, etc.

[0094] The power supply device 115 includes a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each component of the pachinko machine 10, a power outage monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruptions due to power outages and the like, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 equipped with a RAM erasure switch 122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc., via a power supply path (not shown). In summary, the power supply unit 251 takes in 24-volt AC voltage supplied from an external source, generates 12-volt voltage for driving various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the various solenoid motors 209, motors, etc., a 5-volt voltage for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies the necessary voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc.

[0095] The power outage monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power outage signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control unit 110 and the MPU 211 of the dispensing control device 111 when power is cut off due to a power outage or other reason. The power outage monitoring circuit 252 monitors the 24-volt DC stabilized voltage, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and if this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power outage (power outage, power interruption) has occurred and outputs the power outage signal SG1 to the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111. By outputting the power outage signal SG1, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111 recognize the occurrence of a power outage and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the 5-volt voltage, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute NMI interrupt processing, even after the 24-volt DC stabilized voltage falls below 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 can execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown) normally.

[0096] The RAM clearing switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM clearing signal SG2 to the main control device 110 to clear the backup data when the RAM clearing switch 122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the main control device 110 inputs the RAM clearing signal SG2 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, it clears the backup data and sends a payout initialization command to the payout control device 111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device 111.

[0097] Next, the schematic configuration of the game board 13 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the game board 13, Figure 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board 13, and Figure 7 is an exploded rear perspective view of the game board 13.

[0098] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the game board 13 mainly comprises a movable ball entry device 300 arranged inside an opening 60a in the center of a base plate 60 made of a transparent flexible resin material, a prize winning port unit 600 located below the movable ball entry device 300 in the direction of gravity and arranged on the base plate 60, and an illumination unit 900 arranged on the back side of the base plate 60.

[0099] The movable ball entry device 300 is inserted from the front side into an opening 60a formed through the center of the base plate 60 when viewed from the front. The movable ball entry device 300 has an edge with an outer shape larger than the opening 60a, and is arranged so that this edge abuts against the front of the base plate 60. This allows the movable ball entry device 300 to be positioned in the front-to-rear direction relative to the base plate 60. A detailed description of the movable ball entry device 300 will be given later.

[0100] The winning opening unit 600 is a unit that includes the above-mentioned starting winning openings 26, 27, 28, and is located below the movable ball winning device 300 in the direction of gravity, and is disposed on the base plate 60. A detailed description of the winning opening unit 600 will be given later.

[0101] The irradiation unit 900 is formed in a generally rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front, and its outer shape is smaller than the outer shape when viewed from the front of the base plate 60. This makes it impossible for a player to directly see the irradiation unit 900 through the base plate 60.

[0102] Furthermore, a board (not shown) equipped with LEDs is disposed inside the illumination unit 900, and light emitted from the LEDs is emitted toward the front side (player side). As described above, the base plate 60 is formed from a transparent flexible resin material, so that light emitted from the LEDs of the illumination unit 900 can be irradiated toward the player side through the base plate 60.

[0103] Next, with reference to Figures 8 to 90, we will explain the detailed configuration of the movable ball entry device 300 and the winning port unit 600. First, with reference to Figures 8 to 80, we will explain the movable ball entry device 300.

[0104] First, the overall configuration of the movable ball entry device 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 13. Fig. 8 is a front view of the movable ball entry device 300, and Fig. 9 is a rear view of the movable ball entry device 300. Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of the movable ball entry device 300, and Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of the movable ball entry device 300. Fig. 12 is an exploded front perspective view of the movable ball entry device 300, and Fig. 13 is an exploded rear perspective view of the movable ball entry device 300.

[0105] As shown in Figures 8 to 13, the movable ball-entering device 300 is mainly formed by a center frame 310 formed in a roughly rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front, an intermediate member 330 superimposed on the upper side of the rear side of the center frame 310 in the direction of gravity, a rear member 350 arranged on the rear side of the intermediate member 330, a variable unit 360 arranged on the rear side of the center frame 310, a rear base 390 arranged in a manner covering the rear sides of the variable unit 360 and the rear member 350, and a control board 410 arranged on the rear side of the rear base 390.

[0106] The movable ball-entering device 300 allows the player to see the intermediate member 330, rear member 350 and variable unit 360 arranged on the rear side through the inside of the center frame 310 (see FIG. 8).

[0107] Next, the detailed configuration of the center frame 310 will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is an exploded front perspective view of the center frame 310, and Figure 15 is an exploded rear perspective view of the center frame 310.

[0108] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the center frame 310 is formed mainly by a frame body 311 formed in a frame shape when viewed from the front, wing portions 312 rotatably supported on the upper side of the front side of the frame body 311 in the direction of gravity, an upper front cover 313 arranged to cover the front side of the frame body 311 and interposing the wing portions 312 between it and the frame body 311, a solenoid 317 that generates a driving force for rotating the wing portions 312, a shaft portion 315 that transmits the driving force of the solenoid 317 to the wing portions 312, a rear cover 316 that houses the solenoid 317, and a ventilation cover 318 that covers the rear side of the rear cover 316 and prevents the solenoid 317 from slipping out of the rear cover 316.

[0109] The frame body 311 is formed in a frame state when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with a recess 311a recessed toward the back side on the front side above the direction of gravity, a pair of first sensors 311b arranged on the edge of the recess 311a below the direction of gravity, an upward inclined portion 311c formed between the pair of first sensors 311b, a downward inclined portion 311d formed on the inner surface below the direction of gravity, recovery holes 311e opened at both ends of the downward inclined portion 311d to a size that allows game balls to pass through, and a through hole 311f formed through the recess 311a from the front side to the back side.

[0110] The recess 311a is a recess for forming a gap through which a gaming ball can pass between the opposing upper front cover 313 (described later), and the recess dimensions are set to be larger than the diameter of the gaming ball. The recess 311a is formed in a crescent shape that curves downward in the direction of gravity (downward in FIG. 8) as it approaches both ends in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8) when viewed from the front. This allows gaming balls that have flowed down the edge of the recess 311a to roll along the curved shape and flow down to the outside of the frame body 311.

[0111] The upwardly inclined portion 311c is located in the center of the frame body 311 in the left-right direction, and is formed on the other edge of the recessed portion 311a (the surface connecting the front of the recessed portion 311a and the front of the frame body 311). The upwardly inclined portion 311c is formed so as to incline downward in the direction of gravity from the center of the frame body 311 toward both left-right ends. As a result, when a gaming ball is thrown between the opposing recessed portion 311a (frame body 311) and the upper front cover 313, the thrown gaming ball rolls on the upper surface of the upwardly inclined portion 311c due to gravity and falls from the ends (both left and right ends) of the upwardly inclined portion 311c.

[0112] The first sensor 311b has a first detection hole 311b1 formed therein that is large enough to allow a gaming ball to pass through. The first sensor 311b can detect the passage of a gaming ball when the gaming ball passes through the first detection hole 311b1.

[0113] The first sensor 311b is disposed on the outer side of both left and right ends of the upward inclined portion 311c in such a manner that the first detection hole 311b1 opens in the direction of gravity, and is disposed below the downward inclined end of the upward inclined portion 311c. Therefore, as described above, when a gaming ball rolling on the upward inclined portion 311c rolls to the end of the upward inclined portion 311c and falls from the upward inclined portion 311c, it passes through the inside of the first detection hole 311b1 of the first sensor 311b. This allows the first sensor 311b to detect a gaming ball sent between the recess 311a and the upper front cover 313.

[0114] The through hole 311f is a hole through which the rotating shaft 315a of the shaft portion 315 described later is inserted, and penetrates the other side of the recess 311a from the front to the back, and its inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft 315a.

[0115] The downwardly inclined portion 311d is a surface that receives a gaming ball sent over the upper portion of the variable unit 360 (described later) and sends it to the recovery hole 311e when the gaming ball falls from the front of the variable unit 360, and is formed on the inner peripheral surface on the other side of the center frame 310. The downwardly inclined portion 311d is formed so as to incline downward in the direction of gravity as it moves outward from a substantially central position in the left-right direction. Therefore, the gaming ball sent to the upper portion of the downwardly inclined portion 311d can be rolled along the inclination to the terminal position of the downwardly inclined portion 311d.

[0116] As described above, the recovery hole 311e is a hole to which the gaming ball sent to the downward inclined portion 311d is sent next, and is formed with an opening larger than the outer diameter of the ball and is formed at both left and right ends of the downward inclined portion 311d. Therefore, as described above, when the gaming ball rolling on the upper part of the downward inclined portion 311d rolls to the end of the downward inclined portion 311d and falls from the downward inclined portion 311d, it is sent into the inside of the recovery hole 311e.

[0117] The blade portion 312 is formed in a generally triangular shape when viewed from the front, and its thickness is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of a gaming ball. Also, the blade portion 312 has a shaft support hole 312a formed on the other side of the back side (the lower side in the direction of gravity) that is recessed circularly toward the front side.

[0118] Shaft support hole 312a is a hole into which rotating shaft 315a of shaft portion 315, which will be described later, is fitted, and is formed with an inner diameter that is approximately the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of rotating shaft 315a. As a result, when rotating shaft 315a of shaft portion 315 is rotated, blade portion 312 can be rotationally displaced around shaft support hole 312a as an axis. The operation of blade portion 312 will be described in detail later.

[0119] The upper front cover 313 is a plate for forming a path for game balls to flow down on the front side of the frame body 311, and is disposed in front of the recessed portion 311a of the frame body 311 with a gap larger than the diameter of the game balls. This forms a gap through which game balls can flow down between the opposing recessed portion 311a and the upper front cover 313. The upper front cover 313 is also formed of a transparent plate-like body, allowing the player to see the game balls flowing down between the opposing recessed portion 311a and the upper front cover 313.

[0120] The upper front cover 313 is formed in a semicircular arc shape with one side (upper side in the direction of gravity) curved, and has a bulge 313a that protrudes toward the rear side at the end of one side.

[0121] Bulging portion 313a is a protrusion for preventing a game ball flowing down from above upper front cover 313 in the direction of gravity from entering the gap between recessed portion 311a and upper front cover 313, and is formed above the gap between the opposing blade portions 312 arranged in pair. Furthermore, when blade portion 312 is in the first state (a state in which blade portion 312 is not rotationally displaced and tip portion A1 is positioned above shaft support hole 312a in the direction of gravity), the gap between blade portion 312 and bulging portion 313a is set smaller than the diameter of the game ball, and a game ball flowing down the front side of game board 13 cannot enter the gap between opposing recessed portion 311a and upper front cover 313 (see FIG. 17(a)).

[0122] Solenoid 317 is a driving means that applies a driving force to blade portion 312, and is mainly formed with shaft portion 317a that moves in a piston-like manner, and transmission portion 317b that is formed below shaft portion 317a in the direction of gravity.

[0123] Shaft 317a is formed in a cylindrical shape, and one side is inserted into solenoid 317. Shaft 317a is disposed such that its axial direction is parallel to the direction of gravity, and when power is applied to solenoid 317, it is displaced upward in the direction of gravity and drawn into solenoid 317. That is, shaft 317a can perform piston-like motion in the direction of gravity.

[0124] Transmission part 317b is formed to protrude from the other side of shaft part 317a in a D-shape with opening 317b1 formed therein. Opening 317b1 of transmission part 317b is formed to open from the front side to the back side, and variable shaft 315b (described later) is inserted into the opening 317b1. Therefore, when shaft part 317a makes a piston movement in the direction of gravity, variable shaft 315b inserted into transmission part 317b is displaced in the direction of gravity.

[0125] The shaft portion 315 is an axis that transmits the driving force of the solenoid 317 to the wing portion 312, and is mainly formed by a rotating shaft 315a that is arranged at one end on the front side and connected to the wing portion 312, a variable shaft 315b that is arranged at one end on the back side and engaged with the solenoid 317, and a connecting portion 315c that connects the rotating shaft 315a and the variable shaft 315b.

[0126] As described above, the rotating shaft 315a is an axis that transmits the driving force that rotates the blade portion 312, and one end on the front side is inserted from the back side of the through hole 311f of the frame body 311 and protrudes to the front side, and the end protruding from the front side of the frame body 311 is externally fitted into the shaft support hole 312a of the blade portion 312.

[0127] As described above, the rear end of the variable shaft 315b is inserted into the transmission part 317b of the solenoid 317, and is displaced by the driving of the solenoid 317.

[0128] The connecting portion 315c is a connecting portion that connects the rotating shaft 315a and the variable shaft 315b, and connects the rear end of the rotating shaft 315a to the front end of the variable shaft 315b. The rotating shaft 315a and the variable shaft 315b are connected such that their axes are parallel to each other. That is, the rotating shaft 315a and the variable shaft 315b are connected by the connecting portion 315c at eccentric positions. As a result, when the variable shaft 315b is displaced in the direction of gravity, the displacement is transmitted to the rotating shaft 315a by the connecting portion 315c, and the rotating shaft 315a undergoes rotational displacement. As a result, the wing portion 312 can be rotationally displaced.

[0129] The rear cover 316 is a plate for arranging the solenoid 317 inside, and is arranged in a manner that covers the rear surface of one side above the gravity direction of the frame body 311, and has a recessed portion 316a on the rear surface side for arranging the solenoid 317, and an opening 316b on the lower side of the recessed portion 316a in the gravity direction.

[0130] Recessed portion 316a is a recess for disposing solenoid 317 therein, and is recessed at a position facing solenoid 317. The recess depth of recessed portion 316a is set to be approximately the same as the thickness dimension of solenoid 317 in the front-to-rear direction, and recessed portion 316a is disposed at a position where the rear side of rear cover 316 and the rear side of solenoid 317 are approximately aligned. Therefore, ventilation cover 318 formed from a plate-like body is provided on the rear side of rear cover 316, thereby preventing solenoid 317 from falling off rear cover 316.

[0131] Opening 316b is an opening for engaging variable shaft 315b of shaft 315 with transmission portion 317b of solenoid 317, and is formed to be larger than the displacement area of ​​variable shaft 315b. This allows the driving force of solenoid 317, which is disposed on the rear side of rear cover 316, to be transmitted to shaft 315.

[0132] Next, the displacement operation of the wing portion 312 will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. Figures 16(a) to 16(c) are partially enlarged rear views of the center frame 310, and Figures 17(a) to 17(c) are partially enlarged front views of the center frame 310.

[0133] 16(a) and 17(a) show a first state before displacement of wing portion 312, Fig. 16(c) and 17(c) show a third state after displacement of wing portion 312, and Fig. 16(b) and 17(b) show a second state which is an intermediate position during displacement from the first state to the third state. In Fig. 17, the end of wing portion 312 opposite to pivot hole 312a will be described as tip portion A1.

[0134] 16(a) to 16(c) show the ventilation cover 318 in a transparent state, and FIGS. 17(a) to 17(c) show the upper front cover 313 in a transparent state. In addition, in FIGS. 16 and 17, the rotation shaft 315a is shown by a dashed line.

[0135] 16(a) and 17(a), in the first state, the shaft 317a of the solenoid 317 is disposed in a state in which it protrudes downward in the direction of gravity. As a result, the variable shaft 315b inserted through the opening 317b1 of the transmission part 317b is positioned lower in the direction of gravity than the rotation shaft 315a. In this case, the tip A1 of the wing part 312 that fits around the rotation shaft 315a is positioned above the shaft support hole 312a (rotation shaft 315a) in the direction of gravity (upper side in FIG. 17(a)) and inside the space between the opposing pair of wing parts 312.

[0136] When power is applied to the solenoid 317 from the state shown in Figures 16(a) and 17(a) and the shaft 317a is displaced upward in the direction of gravity, the state changes to the second state shown in Figures 16(b) and 17(b).

[0137] 16(b) and 17(b), in the second state, shaft portion 317a is displaced upward in the direction of gravity and accommodated inside solenoid 317, and variable shaft 315b of shaft portion 315 is displaced upward in the direction of gravity while rotating about the axis of rotating shaft 315a. When variable shaft 315b is rotationally displaced, the rotational displacement is transmitted to rotating shaft 315a via connecting portion 315c, causing rotating shaft 315a to rotate. As a result, blade portion 312 is rotationally displaced about shaft support hole 312a.

[0138] In the second state, the tip A1 of the wing portion 312 is located outside the gap between the pair of opposing wing portions 312, and the gap between the tip A1 and the bulging portion 313a of the upper front cover 313 is made larger than the outer diameter of the gaming ball. That is, in the second state, gaming balls flowing down from above in the direction of gravity can flow into the gap between the opposing recess 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover.

[0139] The second state is an intermediate position in the displacement from the first state to the third state. That is, the displacement of the wing portion 312 is performed as a series of movements between the position of the first state described above and the position of the third state described below.

[0140] When power continues to be applied to the solenoid 317 from the state shown in Figures 16(b) and 17(b) and the shaft portion 317a is further displaced upward in the direction of gravity, the third state shown in Figures 16(c) and 17(c) is reached.

[0141] 16(b) and 17(b), in the third state, the shaft portion 317a is displaced further upward in the direction of gravity than in the second state described above and is housed inside the solenoid 317. As a result, the variable shaft 315b of the shaft portion 315 is displaced upward in the direction of gravity while further rotating about the axis of the rotating shaft 315a. When the variable shaft 315b is rotationally displaced, the rotational displacement of the variable shaft 315b is transmitted to the rotating shaft 315a via the connecting portion 315c, similar to the displacement from the first state to the second state described above, and the rotating shaft 315a is further rotated. Therefore, the blade portion 312 is rotationally displaced further about the shaft support hole 312a than in the second state.

[0142] In the third state, the tip A1 of the wing portion 312 is positioned outside the gap between the pair of opposing wing portions 312, and an imaginary line S1 connecting the tip A1 and the shaft support hole 312a (rotation axis 315a) is tilted outward in the left-right direction at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the direction of gravity. This expands the area in which the wing portion 312 can receive game balls flowing down above the game board 13, making it easier for game balls to flow into the gap between the opposing recess 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313.

[0143] Next, the game balls flowing down the game board 13 in the first state and the third state will be described with reference to Figure 18. Figure 18(a) is a partially enlarged front view of the center frame 310 in the first state, and Figure 18(b) is a partially enlarged front view of the center frame 310 in the third state.

[0144] As shown in Figure 18(a), in the first state, the gap between the tip A1 of the wing portion 312 and the bulge portion 313a of the upper front cover 313 is made smaller than the diameter of the game ball, so that the game ball cannot flow into the space between the recess 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313.

[0145] Therefore, game balls flowing down from above the center frame 310 do not flow into the space between the recess 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313, but flow down both the left and right sides of the center frame 310 (movable ball entry device 300).

[0146] On the other hand, in the third state, as described above, the imaginary line S1 connecting the tip A1 of the wing portion 312 and the pivot hole 312a is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the direction of gravity. Therefore, as shown in Figure 18(b), game balls can flow into the gap between the recess 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313.

[0147] Therefore, a game ball that flows down from above the center frame 310 and collides with the upper part of the wing portion 312 is sent by the wing portion 312 rolling between the opposing recessed portion 311 a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313 .

[0148] Next, the detailed configuration of the intermediate member 330 will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19(a) is a front view of the intermediate member 330, Figure 19(b) is a rear view of the intermediate member 330, and Figure 19(c) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member 330 taken along line XIXc-XIXc in Figure 19(a). Figure 20(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the intermediate member 330, and Figure 20(b) is an exploded rear perspective view of the intermediate member 330.

[0149] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the intermediate member 330 is mainly formed by a main body portion 331 which is formed in an approximately rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and a decorative base 332 which is arranged on both the left and right outer sides of the main body portion 331 and which illuminates the inside of the main body portion 331.

[0150] The main body 331 is a plate for picking up a game ball sent between the recess 311a of the frame body 311 of the center frame 310 and the upper front cover 313 below the first sensor 311b in the direction of gravity and sending it to the rear side, and is mainly formed with a receiving portion 331a that protrudes from approximately the center of the front side and whose tip is located below the first detection hole 311b1 (first sensor 311b) in the direction of gravity, and a guide portion 331b that is located below the receiving portion 331a in the direction of gravity and guides the game ball sent from the receiving portion 331a to multiple flow paths.

[0151] The main body 331 is made of a transparent flexible material, which allows light emitted from the decorative base 332 disposed on the outer lateral sides of the main body 331 to be irradiated onto the inside of the main body 331.

[0152] The receiving portion 331a is formed in a generally U-shaped cross section with an open upper side in the direction of gravity (upper side in the vertical direction in FIG. 19(a)) when viewed from the front. The protruding tip on the front side of the receiving portion 331a is inserted into the opening of the frame body 311 of the center frame 310, and is disposed to be positioned below the first detection hole 311b1 (first sensor 311b) of the frame body 311 in the direction of gravity. As a result, as described above, a game ball passing through the first detection hole 311b1 of the frame body 311 (center frame 310) can be dropped onto the inner surface (inner part of the U-shape) of the receiving portion 331a.

[0153] The bottom surface of the receiving portion 331a on the lower side in the direction of gravity is formed to be inclined downward from the front side to the back side (see FIG. 19(c)). This allows the game ball that has fallen onto the receiving portion 331a to roll along the downward inclination and be sent to the back side of the main body portion 331.

[0154] The guide portion 331b is formed below the receiving portion 331a in the direction of gravity (bottom side in the up-down direction in FIG. 19(b)) and protrudes from the back side of the main body portion 331. The guide portion 331b is formed by two U-shaped portions, one large and one small, which are open on the lower side in the direction of gravity and protrude at a predetermined interval larger than the diameter of the gaming ball.

[0155] The small U-shaped inner guide portion 331b1 of the guide portion 331b has an upper surface that slopes downward from approximately the center in the left-right direction toward the outside, allowing a game ball sent to the upper part of the inner guide portion 331b1 to roll left-right on the upper surface of the inner guide portion 331b1.

[0156] As described above, the outer guide portion 331b2, which is formed in a large U-shape of the guide portion 331b, is formed with a gap between it and the inner guide portion 331b1 that is larger than the diameter of the gaming ball. This allows the gaming ball to be guided between the opposing inner guide portion 331b1 and the outer guide portion 331b2. The gaming ball guided between the opposing inner guide portion 331b1 and the outer guide portion 331b2 flows down between the opposing inner guide portion 331b1 and the outer guide portion 331b2 and is sent to the first rolling portion 381a of the main body portion 380, which will be described later.

[0157] On the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 19(b)) outside of the outer guide portion 331b2, a standing wall 331c protruding from the back side of the main body portion 331 is provided extending in the direction of gravity. The standing wall 331c is formed at a distance from the outer guide portion 331b2 that is larger than the diameter of the gaming ball. This allows the gaming ball that is sent to the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 and drops from the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 to be sent between the opposing outer guide portion 331b2 and the standing wall 331c and allowed to flow down.

[0158] Next, referring to Figures 21 and 23, the sending of a game ball from the center frame 310 to the intermediate member 330 will be described. Figure 21(a) is a front view of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330, Figure 21(b) is a side view of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330, and Figure 21(c) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330 taken along line XXIc-XXIc in Figure 21(a). Figures 22(a) to 22(c) are front views of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330. Figures 23(a) to 23(c) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330.

[0159] 21 to 23 show a state in which the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330 are assembled. Also, Figs. 22 and 23 show the center frame 310 in a third state (a state in which the wing portion 312 is rotated around the pivot hole 312a), and Figs. 23(a) to 23(c) show cross sections corresponding to the cross section of Fig. 21(c). Furthermore, Figs. 22 and 23 show transition states in which the ball is thrown.

[0160] 21(a) to 21(c), when the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330 are combined, the position of the protruding tip of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 in the direction of gravity is approximately aligned with the front surface of the upper front cover 313 of the center frame 310. That is, the receiving portion 331a protrudes to a position opposite the first sensor 311b in the direction of gravity. Therefore, as described above, a gaming ball passing through the inside of the first sensor 311b and flowing down can be dropped onto the receiving portion 331a.

[0161] 22(a) and 23(a), in the third state, the game ball flowing down from the upper side of the center frame in the direction of gravity comes into contact with the wing portions 312 and is sent between the two opposing wing portions 312. As a result, as shown in Fig. 22(b) and 23(b), the ball is sent between the opposing recessed portion 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313.

[0162] As shown in Figures 22(b) and 23(b), a game ball sent between the upper front cover 313 and the recess 311a of the frame body 311 passes through the inside of the inner guide portion 331b1 of the first sensor 311b arranged on the lower edge of the recess 311a in the direction of gravity and is sent to the inside of the receiving portion 331a shown in Figures 22(c) and 23(c).

[0163] 22(c) and 23(c), the curved portion (the U-shaped curved portion when viewed from the front) of the receiving portion 331a is positioned below the inner guide portion 331b1 of the first sensor 311b in the direction of gravity. This prevents the game ball that falls onto the receiving portion 331a from bouncing back. As a result, the rolling speed of the game ball rolling inside the receiving portion 331a is prevented from slowing down.

[0164] Next, referring to Figure 24, a gaming ball rolling on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a will be described. Figures 24(a) to 24(c) are cross-sectional views of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330. Figures 24(a) to 24(c) illustrate the transition state of the gaming ball rolling on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a. Figures 24(a) to 24(c) also correspond to the cross section of Figure 21(c).

[0165] As shown in Figures 24(a) to 24(c), a gaming ball sent to the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a rolls along the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a toward the base (rear side) of the receiving portion 331a due to the downward slope toward the base side (back side). At this time, as described above, the curved portion of the receiving portion 331a is located below the inner guide portion 331b1 of the first sensor 311b in the direction of gravity, so the gaming ball flowing down from the inner guide portion 331b1 can be caused to collide with the curved portion of the receiving portion 331a. This allows the gaming ball flowing down in the direction of gravity to be displaced left and right. Therefore, the gaming ball flowing down the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a can be made to roll not only toward the base of the receiving portion 331a but also left and right, allowing the player to see the rolling state of the gaming ball for a longer period of time, thereby increasing the player's interest.

[0166] Furthermore, since the curved portion has higher rigidity than a flat surface, by making the position where the game ball flows down to the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a the curved portion, it is possible to prevent the receiving portion 331a from being damaged by the impact when the game ball falls onto the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a.

[0167] Next, the rear member 350 will be described with reference to Figures 25 to 27. Figure 25(a) is a front view of the rear member 350, Figure 25(b) is a rear view of the rear member 350, and Figure 25(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rear member 350 taken along line XXVc-XXVc in Figure 25(a). Figure 26 is an exploded front perspective view of the rear member 350, and Figure 27 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rear member 350.

[0168] As shown in Figures 25 to 27, the rear member 350 is formed mainly by a rear main body portion 351 formed from a plate-like body that is approximately trapezoidal when viewed from the front, a variable plate 352 that is displaceably arranged inside an opening 351b that opens in the front-to-back direction in the center of the rear main body portion 351, a winning member 353 that is attached to the rear main body portion 351 in a manner that it sandwiches the variable plate 352 and into which a game ball is sent as the variable plate 352 is displaced, a decorative member 354 that is attached to the winning member 353 and forms a ball sending path for the game ball inside the winning member 353, a light-emitting member 355 that is attached to the decorative member 354 and irradiates light toward the player through the decorative member 354, a solenoid 356 that applies a driving force to the variable plate 352, and a cover member 357 that is attached between the decorative member 354 and the solenoid 356 and holds the solenoid 356 so that it cannot fall off.

[0169] The rear main body portion 351 is mainly formed with an upright portion 351a that protrudes in a U-shaped cross section toward the front side, an opening 351b that is formed inside the upright portion 351a and opens from the front to the back, a bearing portion 352f that is located on both the left and right outside of the opening 351b and holds the shaft portion 352a of the variable plate 352 described later, a connecting hole 351c that opens from the front to the back on the lower side of the opening 351b in the direction of gravity and guides the game ball sent from the opening 351b to the back side forward, and a first recess 351d and a second recess 351e that are recessed from the front to the back at the lower end of the rear main body portion 351 in the direction of gravity.

[0170] The rear main body part 351 is a member that causes a game ball rolling on the receiving part 331a of the intermediate member 330 (main body part 331) (that is, sent through the intermediate member 330) to flow downward in the direction of gravity, and is attached to the intermediate member 330 with a gap between the rear side of the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body part 351 that is larger than the diameter of the game ball. This allows the game ball to flow downward between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear main body part 351.

[0171] Moreover, the rear main body part 351 is formed so that its outer shape in a front view is approximately the same as or smaller than that of the intermediate member 330. This prevents the member from protruding outward in a front view from the center frame 310 of the movable ball entry device 300 in the assembled state, and when attaching the movable ball entry device 300 to the opening 60a of the base plate 60, the movable ball entry device 300 can be positioned simply by inserting it from the front, making it easy to attach the movable ball entry device 300 to the base plate 60.

[0172] The standing portion 351a is formed in a U-shape that is open downward when viewed from the front. The standing portion 351a includes a first standing portion 351a1 having a small width dimension between opposing portions, and a second standing portion 351a2 having a larger distance dimension between opposing portions than the first standing portion 351a1.

[0173] The distance between the left and right sides of the first standing portion 351a1 is set to be approximately the same as the distance between the left and right sides of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330, and the left and right ends are disposed at positions facing the left and right ends of the receiving portion 331a in the front-rear direction. Also, the height position in the gravity direction of the upper end of the first standing portion 351a1 is set to be approximately the same as the upper end of the receiving portion 331a. This allows the game ball that rolls on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 and is sent to flow down between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351, and also to flow down inside the standing portion 351a.

[0174] The second standing portion 351a2 is formed by connecting to the end portion of the first standing portion 352a1 on the lower side in the direction of gravity. The distance dimension between the opposing second standing portions 351a2 is set to be approximately the same as the longitudinal dimension of the opening 351b, and when the variable plate 352 arranged inside the opening 351b is changed, it is possible to prevent game balls from flowing down the longitudinal outer side of the variable plate 352. This makes it possible to reliably send game balls flowing down between the opposing rear main body portion, 351, and intermediate member 330 to the opening 351b when the variable plate 352 is displaced.

[0175] The opening 351b is an opening for allowing a gaming ball flowing down between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 to be sent to the rear side of the rear main body portion 351, and is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, with the width dimension in the short direction set to be larger than the diameter of the gaming ball. Also, as described above, the opening 351b is formed between the opposing left and right second standing portions 351a2.

[0176] The connecting hole 351c is a hole that sends the game ball, which has passed through the inside of the opening 351b and been sent to the rear side of the rear main body, to the front side via a winning member 353 (described later), and is located below the opening 351b in the direction of gravity and is formed as a rectangular opening larger than the diameter of the ball. Two connecting holes 351c are provided side by side in the left-right direction.

[0177] The first recess 351d is a path along which a game ball sent from the connecting hole 351c to the front side of the rear main body portion 351 flows down while being guided to the upper surface of the inner guide portion of the intermediate member 330 described above, and is located at the lower end of the rear main body portion 351 in the direction of gravity and recessed toward the rear side.

[0178] Furthermore, when the rear main body portion 351 (rear member 350) is disposed on the intermediate member 330, the first recess 351d is formed to be located between the opposing inner guide portion 331b1 and the opposing outer guide portion 331b2 of the intermediate member 330 in a front view. Therefore, the flow direction of the game ball flowing down between the opposing inner guide portion 331b1 and the opposing outer guide portion 331b2 can be shifted toward the rear side. This makes it possible to slow down the flow speed in the direction of gravity of the game ball sent between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 when it flows down to the variable unit 360, which will be described later. Therefore, when the game ball is sent to the variable unit 360, it can be prevented from bouncing due to a collision with the variable unit 360, and the ball can be sent stably from the rear member 350 to the variable unit 360.

[0179] The second recess 351e is a path along which game balls flowing down between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 are guided by the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 of the intermediate member 330 and flow down, and is located outside the first recess 351d in the left-right direction and is recessed toward the rear side.

[0180] Furthermore, when the rear main body portion 351 (rear member 350) is disposed on the intermediate member 330, the second recess 351e is formed to be located between the opposing outer guide portion 331b2 and the standing wall 331c of the intermediate member 330 in a front view. Therefore, the flow direction of the game ball flowing down between the opposing outer guide portion 331b2 and the standing wall 331c can be shifted toward the rear side. This makes it possible to slow down the flow speed in the direction of gravity of the game ball sent between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 when it flows down to the variable unit 360, which will be described later. Therefore, when the game ball is sent to the variable unit 360, it can be prevented from colliding with the variable unit 360 and bouncing, and the ball can be sent stably from the rear member 359 to the variable unit 360.

[0181] As described above, the variable plate 352 is a guide member for sending game balls flowing down between the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 (rear member 350) into the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351, and is arranged in a rotatable state inside the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351.

[0182] The variable plate 352 is made of a transparent flexible material and is mainly composed of a plate portion 352d that is disposed inside the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351 and that is formed into a plate-like body that is horizontally long and rectangular when viewed from the front, shaft portions 352a that protrude from both longitudinal ends of the plate portion 352d and are rotatably supported, first protrusions 352b that protrude radially outward from the shaft portions 352a and engage with the rear main body portion 351 when the variable plate 352 is displaced to regulate the amount of displacement of the variable plate 352, and second protrusions 352c that protrude in a radially different direction from the first protrusions 352b and transmit the driving force of a solenoid 356 of a driving means, which will be described later.

[0183] The plate portion 352d is a plate-like body that rotates and displaces to guide game balls flowing down between the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 to the opening 351b, and is formed into a horizontally elongated rectangle whose outer shape when viewed from the front is smaller than that of the opening 351b.

[0184] Furthermore, the plate portion 352d includes a front portion 352d2 that faces the intermediate member 330 before displacement, and a bulging portion 352d1 that bulges out from the end opposite the rotation axis (shaft portion 352a) toward the intermediate member 330. The bulging portion 352d1 and the front portion 352d2 will be described in detail later.

[0185] The shaft 352a is a shaft that pivotally supports the plate 352d so as to be rotatable and is formed to protrude from one end of the plate 352d that is on the lower side in the direction of gravity at both longitudinal ends. The shaft 352a is arranged inside the bearing portion 351f of the rear main body 351, and is rotatably held between the rear main body 351 and the winning member 353, which will be described later, by arranging the winning member 353 from the rear side. This allows the variable plate 352 to be rotatably displaced relative to the rear main body 351.

[0186] The first protrusions 352b are protrusions that come into contact with the rear main body portion 351 when the variable plate 352 is rotated and displaced, thereby regulating the amount of displacement of the variable plate 352 during rotation, and are formed to protrude radially from the shaft portions 352a on both left and right ends. The protruding directions of the first protrusions 352b of the shaft portions 352a on both ends are set to be approximately the same when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft portions 352a.

[0187] Furthermore, one of the first protrusions 352b (in this embodiment, the first protrusion 352b on the right side when viewed from the front) is engaged with a transmission portion 356a of a solenoid 356, which will be described later. This allows the driving force of the solenoid 356 to be transmitted to the variable plate 352. Therefore, the driving force of the solenoid 356 allows the variable plate 352 to rotate around the axis of the shaft portion 352a.

[0188] Furthermore, a second protrusion 352c is formed on the shaft portion 352a of one of the first protrusions 352b so as to protrude radially from the shaft portion 352a. When viewed in the axial direction of the shaft portion 352a, the first protrusion 352b and the second protrusion 352c are formed with a predetermined gap around the axis, and the tip of the transmission portion 356a of the solenoid 356 is inserted into the gap. As a result, a driving force is applied from the solenoid 356 to displace the transmission portion 356a, causing the variable plate 352 to rotate around the axis of the shaft portion 252a. The operation of the variable plate 352 will be described in detail later.

[0189] The winning member 353 is a member that forms a path along which the game ball sent into the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351 flows when the variable plate 352 is displaced, and is mainly formed with a connecting hole 353a that is connected to the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351, a second detection hole 353b that opens downward at the inner edge of the connecting hole 353a, a front opening 353c that is connected at one end to the second detection hole 353b and has the other end that opens to the front side, a first diffuse reflection portion 353d formed on the rear side, a through hole 353e through which the transmission portion 356a of the solenoid 356 is inserted, and an erect wall 353f that erects from the edge of the first diffuse reflection portion 353d.

[0190] The connecting hole 353a is formed to penetrate the rear main body portion 351 so as to have substantially the same outer shape as the outer shape of the opening 351b in a front view, and is formed at a position opposite the opening 351b. This allows the game ball sent into the opening 351b to be sent into the connecting hole 353a.

[0191] The second detection hole 353b is a hole formed by a sensor that detects the passage of a ball, and is formed with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the ball. The second detection hole 353b is formed on the inner edge portion below the gravity direction of the connecting hole 353a, and is formed to open in the gravity direction. This allows game balls sent inside the connecting hole 353a to be sent through the second detection hole 353b, and by detecting the number of balls as they pass through the second detection hole 353b with a sensor, the number of balls passing through the opening 351b can be counted.

[0192] The front opening 353c is a hole for sending the game ball sent to the second detection hole 353b into the connecting hole 351c of the rear main body part 351, and one end of the opening is connected to the second detection hole 353b and the other end is connected from the rear side to the connecting hole 351c of the rear main body part 351. Therefore, the game ball sent to the inside of the opening 351b of the rear main body part 351 can pass through the inside of the front opening 353c via the second detection hole 353b and be discharged from the connecting hole 351c of the rear main body part 351.

[0193] The first diffuse reflection portion 353d is a diffuse reflection surface that diffusely reflects light emitted from the LEDs 355a of the light emitting member 355 (described later) and emits it forward, and is made of a transparent flexible material and is formed with multiple uneven surfaces. By causing the light emitted from the LEDs 355a of the light emitting member 355 to be incident on the multiple uneven surfaces, the traveling direction of the light emitted from the front side of the first diffuse reflection portion 353d toward the player is dispersed, and the first diffuse reflection portion 353d can be illuminated efficiently.

[0194] The through hole 353e is an opening that allows the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356 to pass from the back side to the front side, and is formed as a vertically elongated rectangle that is larger than the outer shape of the transmission part 356a when viewed from the front, and is formed through at a position opposite the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356.

[0195] The standing wall 353f is a wall that prevents light emitted from the LED 355a of the light emitting member 355 from escaping to the outside, and its standing height is set to a position where it abuts against the decorative member 354. Therefore, it is possible to prevent light emitted from the LED 355a toward the first diffuse reflection section 353d from escaping to the outside from the standing wall 353f.

[0196] The decorative member 354 is formed into a plate-like body that is generally rectangular when viewed from the front, and its outer shape when viewed from the front is generally the same as that of the winning member 353. The decorative member 354 is mainly formed with a second diffused reflection section 354b formed on the surface facing the light-emitting member 355 (described later), an opening 354a formed through the decorative member 354 at a position facing the first diffused reflection section 353d of the winning member 353, and a through-hole 354c formed through the decorative member 354 at a position facing the transmission section 356a of the solenoid 356.

[0197] The opening 354a is an opening for allowing the light emitted from the LED 355a of the light-emitting member 355 to be directly irradiated onto the first diffuse reflection section 353d of the winning member 353, and is opened in a rectangular shape that is approximately the same as the outer shape of the first diffuse reflection section 353d when viewed from the front, and is formed in a position opposite the first diffuse reflection section 353d.

[0198] The second diffused reflection portion 354b is a diffused reflection surface that diffusely reflects light emitted from the LEDs 355a of the light emitting member 355 disposed on the rear side and emits the light forward, and is made of a transparent flexible material and has a plurality of concaves and convexes formed thereon. As a result, by causing the light emitted from the LEDs 355a of the light emitting member 355 to be incident on the plurality of concaves and convexes, the traveling direction of the light emitted from the front side of the second diffused reflection portion 354b is dispersed, and the second diffused reflection portion 354b can emit light efficiently.

[0199] The through hole 354c is an opening that allows the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356 to pass from the back side to the front side, and is formed as a vertically elongated rectangle that is larger than the outer shape of the transmission part 356a when viewed from the front, and is formed through at a position opposite the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356.

[0200] Light-emitting member 355 is equipped with LED 355a, which is a light-emitting means that emits light on the front side (the side facing decorative member 354), and is attached to the back side of decorative member 354. This allows light to be emitted to first diffused reflection portion 353d and second diffused reflection portion 354b.

[0201] The solenoid 356 includes a transmission part 356a that transmits a driving force to the variable plate 352. As described above, the solenoid 356 is a driving means that imparts a rotational driving force to the variable plate 352, and when power is applied, the transmission part 356a is displaced in the direction of gravity.

[0202] The transmission part 356a is inserted through the through-hole 353e of the winning member 353 and the through-hole 354c of the decorative member 354, and is disposed between the first protrusion 352b and the second protrusion 352c of the variable plate 352. Therefore, when the transmission part 356a is displaced, the variable plate 352 is rotated around the axis of the shaft part 352a.

[0203] Next, with reference to Figures 28 and 29, the displacement mode of the variable plate 352 will be described in detail. Figures 28(a) to 28(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear member 350 taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII in Figure 25. Figures 29(a) to 29(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear member 350. Note that Figures 28(a) and 29(a) show the variable plate 352 in the first rotation state, Figures 28(b) and 29(b) show the variable plate 352 in the second rotation state, and Figures 28(c) and 29(c) show the variable plate 352 in the third rotation state. Also, Figures 29(a) to 29(c) correspond to the cross section of Figure 25(c).

[0204] 28(a), in a first rotation state in which the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356 is positioned downward in the direction of gravity, the transmission part 356a abuts against one side of the second protrusion 352c of the variable plate 352, and the other side of the second protrusion 352c abuts against the rear side of the rear main body part 351. In other words, the second protrusion 352c is sandwiched between the transmission part 356a and the rear main body part 351. This makes it possible to prevent the variable plate 352 from wobbling and being rotated around the axis of the shaft part 352a.

[0205] 29(a), in the first rotation state, the variable plate 352 is in a state in which the bulging portion 352d1 is positioned above the shaft portion 352a in the direction of gravity, and the front portion 352d2 covers (blocks) the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351. In this case, the shortest distance L1 between the upper end face of the opening 351b in the direction of gravity and the variable plate 352 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the ball. As a result, a game ball sent between the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 is not sent inside the opening 351b, but flows down in front of the variable plate 352.

[0206] In the first rotation state, the front surface portion 352d2 is tilted forward as it moves away from the shaft portion 352a, and the tip of the bulging portion 352d1 is positioned on the front plane of the rear surface main body portion 351.

[0207] 28(a) and 29(a), when power is applied to the solenoid 356, the transmission part 356a is displaced upward in the direction of gravity, and in the second rotation state shown in FIGS. 28(b) and 29(b) where the transmission part 356a is displaced by half of the total displacement, the transmission part 356a comes into contact with the first protrusion 352b of the variable plate 352, causing the first protrusion 352b to rotate around the axis of the shaft part 352a. This causes the variable plate 352 to rotate around the axis of the shaft part 352a.

[0208] 29(b), in the second rotation state, the variable plate 352 has the bulging portion 352d1 positioned on the front side of the shaft portion 352a, and the angle of the front portion 352d2 tilting upward toward the front side is smaller than that in the first rotation state. In this case, the shortest distance L2 between the upper end face of the opening 351b in the gravity direction and the variable plate 352 is set to be smaller than the diameter of a sphere.

[0209] 28(b) and 29(b), power continues to be applied to the solenoid 356, causing the transmission part 356a to be displaced upward in the direction of gravity. In the third rotation state shown in FIGS. 28(c) and 29(c) where the transmission part 356a is displaced to its end, the transmission part 356a comes into contact with the first protrusion 352b of the variable plate 352, causing the first protrusion 352b to further rotate about the axis of the shaft part 352a. This causes the variable plate 352 to rotate about the axis of the shaft part 352a further than in the second rotation state.

[0210] 28(c), in the third rotation state, the transmission part 356a and one end of the first protrusion 352b come into contact with each other, and the intermediate member 330 and the other end of the first protrusion 352b come into contact with each other. That is, the first protrusion 352b is sandwiched between the rear surface main body part 351 and the transmission part 356a. This makes it possible to prevent the variable plate 352 from wobbling and being rotated around the axis of the shaft part 352a.

[0211] 29(c), in the third rotation state, the variable plate 352 has the bulging portion 352d1 positioned on the front side relative to the shaft portion 352a. In this case, the shortest distance L3 between the upper end face of the opening 351b in the direction of gravity and the variable plate 352 is set to be larger than the diameter of the ball. As a result, the game ball sent between the opposing portions of the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 is sent inside the opening 351b.

[0212] In the third rotation state, the opposite surface of the front portion 352d2 is inclined upward so as to move upward as it moves away from the shaft portion 352a. Therefore, the game ball sent above the board portion 352d can be sent inside the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351.

[0213] Therefore, the distance between the first diffuse reflection part 353d and the light emitting means is made larger than the distance between the second diffuse reflection part 354b and the light emitting means, and the facing space between the variable plate 352 and the second diffuse reflection part 354b is made the first flow-down path of the game ball. Thus, the unit including the variable plate 352, the first diffuse reflection part 353d, and the second diffuse reflection part 354b can be miniaturized. That is, by making the space between the variable plate 352 and the second diffuse reflection part 354b, which is formed to vary the mode of light visible to the player, the first flow-down path of the game ball, the dead space can be effectively utilized, and there is no need to separately secure a space for the flow-down path. Therefore, the unit can be miniaturized accordingly.

[0214] Next, referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, a detailed description of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 will be given. FIG. 30(a) is a front view of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350, and FIG. 30(b) is a side view of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350. FIG. 31(a) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 taken along line XXXIa-XXXIa in FIG. 30(a), and FIG. 31(b) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 taken along line XXXIb-XXXIb in FIG. 30(b).

[0215] As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the distance dimension L4 between the LED 355a and the second diffuse reflection part 354b is set to be smaller than the distance dimension L5 between the LED 355a and the first diffuse reflection part 353d (L4 < L5). Also, the variable plate 352 is disposed in the light transmission direction of the second diffuse reflection part 354b.

[0216] Here, a gaming machine equipped with a displacement member (variable plate 352) that is displaceably disposed in a position visible to the player and switches the flow path of the gaming ball depending on the displacement position is known. In this case, a technique is also known in which the displacement member is disposed on the front side of a transparent member formed from a transparent flexible material, and light is irradiated from the back of the transparent member, allowing the player to see the displacement member along with the light that has passed through the transparent member and drawing attention to the displacement member. However, in the conventional technique described above, because the displacement member is formed from a non-transparent material that does not transmit light, the area (area) of light visible to the player is reduced by the size of the displacement member, thereby impairing the presentation effect.

[0217] In response to this, we developed a technology (not publicly known at the time of filing this application) that makes the displacement member (variable plate 352) from a transparent flexible material, so that the player can see not only the light passing through the displacement member but also the light passing through the displacement member, thereby ensuring an area (area) of light that can be seen by the player. However, we discovered that when the displacement member is made from a transparent flexible material, there is a problem in that it is difficult for the player to identify the position of the displacement member.

[0218] In contrast, this embodiment comprises a substrate member (light-emitting member 355) on which one or more light-emitting means (LEDs 355a) formed to be able to emit light are mounted with their light-emitting surfaces facing the front, and a first transparent member (first diffuse reflection section 353d) and a second transparent member (second diffuse reflection section 354b) formed from a light-transmitting material and arranged on the front side of the substrate member, wherein the displacement member is formed from a transparent flexible material and arranged on the front side of the second transparent member, and the distance between the second transparent member and the substrate member is set to a distance different from the distance between the first transparent member and the substrate member, thereby making it easier for the player to identify the position of the displacement member while ensuring an area (area) of light that is visible to the player.

[0219] That is, because the first transparent member (first diffuse reflection portion 353d) and the second transparent member (second diffuse reflection portion 354b) are located at different distances from the light-emitting means (LEDs 355a), the manner in which light is diffused when passing through the first transparent member and the second transparent member can be made different. Therefore, the manner in which light is visible to the player after passing through the first transparent member can be made different from the manner in which light is visible to the player after passing through the second transparent member. As a result, it becomes easier for the player to identify the position of the displacement member (variable plate 352) disposed on the front side of the second transparent member.

[0220] In addition, in a gaming machine equipped with a light emitting member 355, a first diffuse reflection portion 353d and a second diffuse reflection portion 354b formed of a transparent flexible material on the light emitting side of the light emitting member 355 (LED 355a), and a variable plate 352 that guides a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area to either the first ball sending path KR1 or the second ball sending path KR2, in order to make it easier for a player to recognize the variable plate 352, it was necessary to provide a second light emitting member and change the color of the light of the second light emitting member or the angle of irradiation, etc., to make it easier for a player to see the position of the variable plate 352. Therefore, there was a problem that the number of parts increased and the manufacturing process became complicated due to the inclusion of the second light emitting member.

[0221] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the distance L4 between the opposing light emitting member 355 (LED 355a) and the second diffused reflection portion 354b is set to a distance different from the distance L5 between the opposing LED 355a and the first diffused reflection portion 353d, and the variable plate 352 is disposed in front of the second diffused reflection portion 354b. This makes it possible to make the form (amount) of light emitted from the first diffused reflection portion 353d and the second diffused reflection portion 354b different, thereby improving the visibility of the variable plate 352 to the player.

[0222] That is, the farther the first diffuse reflection section 353d is disposed from the light emitting member 355, the more the light of the LEDs 355a of the light emitting member 355 is diffused outward, and the less light is transmitted through, but since the first diffuse reflection section 353d and the second diffuse reflection section 354b are disposed at different distances from the light emitting means, the brightness of the light transmitted through the first diffuse reflection section 353d and the second diffuse reflection section 354b can be made different between the first diffuse reflection section 353d and the second diffuse reflection section 354b. Therefore, the player can recognize the variable plate 352 disposed on the light transmitting side by the brightness of the light.

[0223] Therefore, without providing a new second light emitting member, the light emitted from the first light emitting member 355 can allow the player to recognize both the variable plate 352 and the area around the variable plate 352. As a result, there is no need to provide a new second light emitting member, which prevents an increase in the number of parts and simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0224] Furthermore, the first and second diffuse reflection portions 353d and 354b have uneven surfaces on their rear surfaces, which facilitate diffusing the light emitted from the LED 355a and passing through the first and second diffuse reflection portions 353d and 354b. In this case, because the first and second diffuse reflection portions 353d and 354b are located at different distances from the LED 355a, the diffusion pattern of the light passing through the first and second diffuse reflection portions 353d and 354b can be made different. This further increases the difference between the pattern of light that is visible to the player after passing through the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the pattern of light that is visible to the player after passing through the second diffuse reflection portion 354b. As a result, the player can more easily identify the position of the variable plate 352 located in front of the second diffuse reflection portion 354b.

[0225] Furthermore, since the unevenness formed on the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the unevenness formed on the second diffuse reflection portion 354b are substantially the same, when no light is emitted from the LED 355a, the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b (the second diffuse reflection portion 354b visible through the variable plate 352) can be visually recognized by a player as having the same appearance. In other words, the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b have different appearances (light aspects) after the LED 355a emits light, but by maintaining the same appearance before the LED 355a emits light, it is possible to highlight the effect of the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b having different (distinct) appearances (light aspects).

[0226] Even if the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b have the same unevenness, the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b are at different distances from the LED 355a, so the manner in which light is diffused when passing through the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b can be made different. In other words, the manner of light that is visible to the player after passing through the first diffuse reflection portion 353d can be made different from the manner of light that is visible to the player after passing through the second diffuse reflection portion 354b.

[0227] Furthermore, the variable plate 352 can be positioned so that it is approximately flush with the first diffuse reflection section 353d, so that the variable plate 352 and the first diffuse reflection section 353d can be viewed as a single unit, and the area (area) of light emitted from the LED 355a and visible to the player can be viewed as a larger area.

[0228] Furthermore, an upright wall 353f is formed on the edge of first diffuse reflection section 353d of winning member 353, standing on the decorative member 354 side, and the tip face on the lower end side of this upright wall 353f is arranged to abut against one end of second diffuse reflection section 354b of decorative member 354. This prevents light from LED 355a of light-emitting member 355 that passes through second diffuse reflection section 354b from entering first diffuse reflection section 353d, thereby making it possible to further increase the contrast between the light from first diffuse reflection section 353d and second diffuse reflection section 354b.

[0229] That is, by making the light that passes through the second diffuse reflection portion 354b disposed near the light emitting member 355 and that is directed toward the first diffuse reflection portion 353d disposed farther from the light emitting member 355 penetrate the erected wall 353f, it becomes difficult for the light to penetrate the first diffuse reflection portion 353d, and the brightness of the light from the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b can be made greater. Therefore, light emitted from one light emitting means can make it easier for the player to recognize the variable plate 352 and its surroundings.

[0230] In other words, since the upright wall 353f connecting the first and second diffuse reflection portions 353d and 354b is provided, the upright wall 353ff can prevent light transmitted through one of the first and second diffuse reflection portions 353d and 354b (the one closer to the LED 355a) from penetrating between the other of the first and second diffuse reflection portions 353d and 354b (the one farther from the LED 355a) and the LED 355a. As a result, the appearance (particularly, brightness) of the light transmitted through the first and second diffuse reflection portions 353d and 354b and visible to the player can be made different. As a result, the player can easily identify the position of the displacement member disposed on the front side of the second diffuse reflection portion 354b.

[0231] Furthermore, since the back surface of the standing wall 353f is not formed with any irregularities, the first diffuse reflection portion 353d and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b (the second diffuse reflection portion 354b visible through the variable plate 352) can be visually recognized by a player as having different appearances from the standing wall 353f. This makes it possible to clarify the boundary between the first transparent member and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b by using the standing wall 353f, and as a result, it becomes easier for a player to identify the position of the variable plate 352 disposed on the front side of the second diffuse reflection portion 354b.

[0232] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the first diffusing reflection section 353d and the LED 355a is made larger than the distance between the second diffusing reflection section 354b and the LED 355a, and the first diffusing reflection section 353d is positioned above in the direction of gravity, thereby preventing damage to the LED 355a.

[0233] That is, on the side where the distance to the LED 355a is small (narrow), the temperature in the space increases due to the heat generated by the LED 355a, increasing the risk of damage to the LED 355a. In contrast, the air whose temperature has increased in the space on the side where the distance to the LED 355a is small (narrow) can be released by rising to the space located above in the direction of gravity (i.e., the space on the side where the distance to the LED 355a is large (wide). As a result, damage to the LED 355a on the side where the distance is small (narrow) can be suppressed.

[0234] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a space is formed between the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the light emitting member 355 (LED 355a) through the opening 354a of the decorative member 354. This allows heat generated by the light emitted by the LED 355a of the light emitting member 355 to escape between the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the LED 355a. This prevents heat from accumulating in the light emitting member 355. As a result, damage to the light emitting member 355 can be prevented.

[0235] That is, the first irregular reflection portion 353d is set to have a larger distance between it and the light emitting member 355 than the second irregular reflection portion 354b, which makes it easier for air to move between the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the light emitting member 355. This allows air to move between the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the light emitting member 355, allowing heat from the light emitting member 355 to escape. Furthermore, heated air tends to rise, and since the first irregular reflection portion 353d, which has a larger distance between it and the light emitting member 355, is disposed on the upper side in the direction of gravity, air heated by the light emitting member 355 can be efficiently discharged to the outside, thereby efficiently cooling the light emitting member 355. As a result, damage to the light emitting member 355 can be suppressed.

[0236] The variable plate 352 has the bulging portion 352d1, which casts a shadow on the light passing through the variable plate 352, allowing the player to recognize that the variable plate 352 has been displaced by the displacement of the shadow of the light.

[0237] That is, the bulging portion 352d1 is formed to bulge in a semicircular shape toward the light transmission side, and therefore can partially change the traveling direction of light emitted from the variable plate 352. This reduces the amount of light that is emitted from the bulging portion 352d1 out of the light that passes through the variable plate 352 and is emitted toward the player, thereby creating a shadow on the light that passes through the variable plate. Furthermore, because the bulging portion 352d1 is formed at the end farther from the shaft portion 352a of the variable plate 352, it can displace the shadow of the light irradiated toward the player as the variable plate 352 is displaced. As a result, the player can recognize the displacement of the variable plate 352 by visually checking the displacement of the shadow of the light emitted from the variable plate 352.

[0238] In other words, the variable plate 352 is formed as a plate-like body whose base end is rotatably supported by a shaft, and has a bulging portion 352d1 with a thicker plate formed on the tip end. Therefore, among the light that passes through the variable plate 352 and is visible to the player, the light that passes through the bulging portion 352d1 and is visible to the player can be made different from the light that passes through other portions excluding the bulging portion 352d1 and is visible to the player. Furthermore, as the variable plate 352 rotates around the base end, the position of the light that passes through the tip end side (bulging portion 352d1) and is visible can be displaced. In other words, by utilizing the displacement of the position of the light that passes through the tip end side (bulging portion 352d1) of the variable plate 352 and is visible, the displacement (rotation) of the variable plate 352 can be made more easily recognized by the player.

[0239] Furthermore, since the cross section of the bulging portion 352d1 is curved in an arc shape, the bulging portion 352d1 can function as a lens (i.e., refracting and diverging or converging light incident on the bulging portion 352d1 (in this embodiment, by converging the light incident on the bulging portion 352d1, the light is perceived as a linear light with increased intensity (brightness))). This makes it possible to more clearly distinguish between the light that is perceived by the player after passing through the variable plate 352 and the light that is perceived by the player after passing through the bulging portion 352d1 and the light that is perceived by the player after passing through the other portions excluding the bulging portion 352d1. As a result, the player can more easily recognize the displacement (rotation) action of the variable plate 352.

[0240] The base of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 is set at a height position in the direction of gravity (vertical direction in FIG. 31(a)) that is substantially the same as the center position in the direction of gravity of the variable plate 352 in the first rotation state.

[0241] First ball throwing path KR1 is connected to third ball throwing path KR3 inside second recess 351e of back body portion 351, which is located on the left-right outer side of outer guide portion 331b2 of intermediate member 330. Second ball throwing path KR2 is connected to fourth ball throwing path KR4 formed between inner guide portion 331b1 and outer guide portion 331b2 of intermediate member 330.

[0242] Next, a gaming ball sent along the first ball sending path KR1 to the fourth ball sending path KR4 will be described with reference to Figures 32 to 43. Figures 32 to 34 are cross-sectional views of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350.

[0243] 32 to 34 and 38 to 40 correspond to the cross section of Fig. 31(a), and Fig. 35 to 37 and 41 to 43 correspond to the cross section of Fig. 31(b). Also, Fig. 32 to 34 and 35 to 37 illustrate the transition states of a game ball thrown on the first ball throwing path KR1 and the third ball throwing path KR3, and Fig. 38 to 40 and 41 to 43 illustrate the transition states of a game ball thrown on the second ball throwing path KR2 and the fourth ball throwing path KR4.

[0244] 32 and 35, when the variable plate 352 of the rear member 350 is in the first rotation state, the game ball that is sent by rolling on the upper part of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 is sent to the first ball sending path KR1. That is, the game ball that is sent by rolling on the upper part of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 flows down into the gap between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351.

[0245] 32 and 35, a gaming ball flowing down the first ball throwing path KR1 flows down onto the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 of the intermediate member 330, and as shown in Figures 33 and 36, rolls on the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 and is thrown to the third ball throwing path KR3. As described above, the outer guide portion 331b2 is formed to slope downward from the center in the left-right direction toward the outside, so that in a front view, a gaming ball flowing down the left side of the first ball throwing path KR1 is thrown to the third ball throwing path KR3 on the left, and a gaming ball flowing down the right side of the first ball throwing path KR1 is thrown to the third ball throwing path KR3 on the right.

[0246] From the state shown in Figures 33 and 36, the game ball sent to the third ball sending path KR3 flows down the third ball sending path KR3 and is sent to the variable unit 360 via the rear base 390 described later, as shown in Figures 34 and 37.

[0247] 38 and 41, when the variable plate 352 of the rear member 350 is in the third rotation state, a game ball that is thrown by rolling over the upper part of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 is thrown to the second ball throwing path KR2. That is, a game ball that is thrown by rolling over the upper part of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 rolls over the upper part of the variable plate 352 of the rear member 350 and is thrown to the second ball throwing path KR2.

[0248] From the state shown in Figures 38 and 41, the game ball flowing down the third ball sending path KR3 passes through the inside of the second detection hole 353b of the winning member 353 and is discharged from the front opening 353c and sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4, as shown in Figures 39 and 42.

[0249] In this case, as described above, the height position of the base of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 in the direction of gravity (up and down in Figure 31(a)) is set to a height position that is approximately the same as the center position in the direction of gravity of the variable plate 352 in the first rotation state, so that the distance dimension in the direction of gravity between the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 can be reduced when the first ball sending path KR1 flowing down between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 and the second ball sending path KR2 that sends the ball inside the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351 are changed in the displacement state of the variable plate 352.

[0250] That is, when the game balls rolling on the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 are sorted into the first ball throwing path KR1 and the second ball throwing path KR2 by the variable plate 352 arranged on the rear side, the end of the variable plate 352 farther from the shaft portion 352a can be lowered than the base of the receiving portion 331a in the third state, thereby making it possible to raise the position of the variable plate 352 in the direction of gravity. As a result, the distance dimension in the direction of gravity between the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 can be reduced.

[0251] 39 and 42, the game ball sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4 rolls on the upper surface of the inner guide portion 331b1 of the intermediate member 330 of the fourth ball sending path KR4, as shown in Figures 40 and 43, and is sent to the ball returning portion 370 described later. As described above, the inner guide portion 331b1 is formed to slope downward from the center in the left-right direction toward the outside. Therefore, in a front view, a ball flowing down the left side of the second ball sending path KR2 (a ball passing through the second detection hole 353b on the left and discharged from the front opening 353c on the left) is sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4 on the left, and a ball flowing down the right side of the second ball sending path KR2 (a ball passing through the second detection hole 353b on the right and discharged from the front opening 353c on the right) is sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4 on the right.

[0252] Next, with reference to Figures 44 to 51, a description will be given of a game ball that rolls on the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 and is sent to the first ball sending path KR1 and the second ball sending path KR2. Figures 44 and 45 are cross-sectional views of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350. Note that Figures 44 and 45 correspond to the cross section of Figure 31(a).

[0253] As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the game ball that is sent by rolling on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 rolls to the rear side and comes into contact with the variable plate 352, and is sent to the first ball sending path KR1.

[0254] In this case, as described above, in the first rotation state, the variable plate 352 is positioned so that the front portion 352d2 is tilted forward as it moves away from the shaft portion 352a, making it easier for the game ball sent from the receiving portion 331a to the first ball sending path KR1 to collide with the front portion 352d2 and flow downward.

[0255] Furthermore, since the portion of the bulging portion 352d1 that is connected to the front portion 351d2 is positioned above the base end of the receiving portion 331a by the radius of the game ball, when the ball rolls vigorously around the receiving portion 331a, the ball can collide with the bulging portion 352d1 and flow downward. At this time, by causing a game ball that has gained a relatively large momentum to collide with the bulging portion 352d1 that bulges out from the plate portion 352d, damage to the plate portion 352d can be suppressed. In other words, when the ball rolls relatively fast, the ball can be prevented from being damaged by causing it to collide with the bulging portion 352d1, which has high rigidity.

[0256] Next, with reference to Figures 46 to 51, a case will be described in which a ball rolls on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 and is sent when the variable plate 352 is displaced from the first rotation state to the third rotation state. Figures 46 to 51 are cross-sectional views of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350. Note that Figures 46 to 48 and 49 to 51 correspond to the cross section of Figure 31(a). Also, Figures 46 to 48 and 49 to 51 illustrate the rolling state of the game ball when the variable plate 352 is displaced from the first rotation state to the third rotation state.

[0257] Here, as mentioned above, if the end of the variable plate 352 farther from the shaft 352a is made lower than the base of the receiving part 331a in the third state, there is a possibility that a game ball may become caught between the base of the receiving part 331a and the variable plate 352 during the displacement operation, causing a malfunction.

[0258] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 46 and 49, the height position of the base of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 in the direction of gravity (up and down direction in Figure 31(a)) is set to a height position that is approximately the same as the approximate center position in the direction of gravity of the variable plate 352 in the first rotation state.Therefore, when the variable plate 352 in the middle of displacement pinches the game ball between itself and the receiving portion 331a, the abutment position between the game ball and the bulge portion 352d1 can be either the front side or the back side of the game ball divided by the virtual line S2 connecting the base end of the receiving portion 331a and the center of the game ball, thereby preventing the ball from getting pinched between the base of the receiving portion 331a and the variable plate 352.

[0259] 46 to 48, when the front side of the gaming ball divided by the imaginary line S2 comes into contact with the bulging portion 352d1, the connecting side of the bulging portion 352d1 with the front portion 352d2 collides with the gaming ball. Therefore, by utilizing the curved surface of the bulging portion 352d1, the ball can be sent to the first ball sending path KR1, as shown in FIG.

[0260] 49 to 51, when the rear side of the gaming ball divided by the imaginary line S2 comes into contact with the bulging portion 352d1, the curved surface of the bulging portion 352d1 that is away from the shaft portion 352a comes into contact with the curved surface. As a result, the gaming ball that is about to fall from the receiving portion 331a can be pushed back to the front side by utilizing the displacement of the variable plate 352. As a result, the variable plate 352 can be displaced to the third rotation state, and the ball can be guided to the second ball sending path KR2.

[0261] Next, the rear base 390 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 52 to 54. Figure 52(a) is a front view of the rear base 390, and Figure 52(b) is a side view of the rear base 390. Figure 53 is an exploded front perspective view of the rear base 390. Figure 54 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rear base 390.

[0262] As shown in Figures 52 to 54, the rear base 390 is formed mainly by a plate-shaped rear plate 391 arranged on the rear side, a holding member 392 arranged at one end of the rear plate 391 on the lower side in the direction of gravity and holding a solenoid 397 of the driving means between the rear plate 391 and the holding member 392, two circular members 394 fastened to both ends of the holding member 392, and a stopper portion 396 arranged outside the space between the two circular members 394.

[0263] The rear plate 391 is formed from a plate-like body that is approximately trapezoidal when viewed from the front. The rear plate 391 is a plate that covers the rear side of the rear member 350 described above, and is formed to have approximately the same outer shape as the outer shape of the rear member 350 when viewed from the front.

[0264] The solenoid 397 is a driving means that applies a driving force to the stopper portion 396 described below, and includes a transmission portion 397a that transmits the driving force to the stopper portion 396. The solenoid 397 is disposed on the back side of each of the two stopper portions 396.

[0265] The transmission portion 397a is a protrusion that is displaced in the direction of gravity when power is supplied to the solenoid 397, and is inserted between a first engagement portion 396a and a second engagement portion 396b of the stopper portion 396, which will be described later.

[0266] The holding member 392 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is provided with a recess 392a recessed on the front side at both longitudinal ends, and an opening 392b formed through the recess 392a from the front to the back.

[0267] Recess 392a is a recess into which solenoid 397 is inserted, and is recessed to conform to the outer shape of solenoid 397. Therefore, by attaching holding member 392 to back plate 391 after solenoid 397 is inserted into recess 392a, solenoid 397 can be held in place so that it cannot fall off.

[0268] The opening 392b is an opening through which the transmission part 397a of the solenoid 397 is inserted forward, and is formed as a vertically elongated rectangular opening in a front view that is larger than the transmission part 397a. Therefore, when the solenoid 397 is placed inside the recess 392a, the transmission part 397a of the solenoid 397 protrudes toward the front side.

[0269] The circular member 394 is a ball throwing section through which the game ball is thrown from the third ball throwing path KR3, and is formed in a generally circular shape in a side view, with a shaft support hole 394a penetrating through the axis. The shaft support hole 394a is a hole that rotatably holds the shaft B1 (described later), and is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft B1.

[0270] The shaft B1 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and as described above, one end is inserted into the shaft support hole 394a of the circular ring member 394, and the other end is fitted onto the shaft hole 396c of the stopper portion 396 (described later). Therefore, the shaft B1 can be rotated relative to the shaft support hole 394a in accordance with the rotational displacement of the stopper portion 396.

[0271] The stopper portion 396 is a ball throwing path blocking means that, by rotating and displacing, makes the ball throwing path KR6 of the variable unit 460 described later impossible to throw a ball.It is formed in an approximately triangular shape when viewed from the side, and is arranged outside the space between the two opposing circular members 394.

[0272] The stopper portion 396 is mainly formed with an axial hole 396c that penetrates the annular member 394 in an approximately circular shape in the axial direction, and a first engaging portion 396a and a second engaging portion 396b that protrude radially outward from the axis of the axial hole 396c.

[0273] The first engagement portion 396a is a protrusion that engages with the transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397 described above to transmit the driving force of the solenoid 397, and is disposed above the transmission portion 397a in the direction of gravity.

[0274] Similar to the first engagement portion 396a, the second engagement portion 396b is a protrusion that engages with a transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397 to transmit the driving force of the solenoid 397, and is disposed below the transmission member 397b in the direction of gravity.

[0275] The first engaging portion 396a and the second engaging portion 396b are formed with a predetermined gap around the axis of the shaft hole 396c, and the distance between them on the protruding tip side is set to be larger than the vertical dimension of the transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397. This makes it possible to transmit driving force to the stopper portion 396 by inserting the transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397 between the first engaging portion 396a and the second engaging portion 396b.

[0276] Next, the transition of the stopper portion 396 will be described with reference to Figure 55. Figures 55(a) to 55(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear surface base 390 taken along the line LV-LV in Figure 52. Figures 55(a) to 55(c) illustrate the transition state of the stopper portion 396. In Figure 55, the end of the stopper portion 396 farther from the shaft hole 396c will be described by assigning it the reference symbol "end portion A2."

[0277] 55(a), in the first disconnected state in which the transmission part 397a of the solenoid 397 is positioned downward, the transmission part 397a comes into contact with the second engagement part 396b of the stopper part 396, and a driving force is applied in a direction in which the end part A2 of the stopper part 396 is displaced upward (in FIG. 55(a), the end part A2 rotates clockwise around the axis of the shaft hole 396c). As a result, the end part A2 is positioned above the shaft hole 396c in the direction of gravity.

[0278] 55(a), transmission part 397a of solenoid 397 is displaced upward, and in a second disconnected state shown in FIG. 55(b) where transmission part 397a is displaced to an intermediate position of the total displacement, transmission part 397a abuts against first engagement part 396a of stopper part 396, and a driving force is applied in a direction in which end part A2 of stopper part 396 is displaced downward (in FIG. 55(b), end part A2 rotates counterclockwise around the axis of shaft hole 396c). As a result, end part A2 is positioned closer to shaft hole 396c in the direction of gravity than in the first disconnected state.

[0279] 55(b), the transmission part 397a of the solenoid 397 is further displaced upward. In a third disconnected state shown in FIG. 55(c) where the transmission part 397a is displaced to its end, the transmission part 397a comes into contact with the first engagement part 396a of the stopper part 396, and a driving force is applied in a direction in which the end part A2 of the stopper part 396 is displaced downward (in FIG. 55(b), the end part A2 rotates counterclockwise around the axis of the shaft hole 396c). In this case, the end part A2 is displaced to a height position substantially equal to the height of the axis of the shaft hole 396c in the direction of gravity.

[0280] On the other hand, when transitioning from the third disconnection state to the first disconnection state, the transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397 presses the second engagement portion 396b downward, thereby pushing the tip portion A1 up around the axis of the shaft hole 396c.

[0281] Next, the main body 380 of the adjustable unit 360 will be described with reference to Figures 56 to 58. Figure 56(a) is a front view of the adjustable unit 360, and Figure 56(b) is a top view of the adjustable unit 360. Figure 57 is an exploded front perspective view of the main body 380 of the adjustable unit 360. Figure 58 is an exploded rear perspective view of the main body 380 of the adjustable unit 360.

[0282] The variable unit 360 is mainly formed of a main body part 380 having a path for sending the game balls sent from the third ball sending path KR3 and the fourth ball sending path KR4 to the front side, and a ball sending part 370 for adsorbing the game balls onto a rotating rotating body and sending the game balls.

[0283] The main body 380 is disposed on the rear surface of one side below the center frame 310 in the direction of gravity, and is visible to the player through a central opening of the center frame 310 (see FIG. 8). The main body 380 is mainly formed with an upper surface base 381 on whose upper surface the rolling surface of the game ball is formed, a first lower surface base 383 arranged opposite the upper surface base 381, a V winning member 382 whose one end is journalled between the upper surface base 381 and the first lower surface base 383 and arranged so as to be displaceable, a first drive motor M1 that applies a driving force to the V winning member 382, ​​a first transmission means 384 that transmits the driving force of the first drive motor M1 to the V winning member 382, ​​a distribution section 389 rotatably arranged on the main body 380, a second drive motor M2 that applies a driving force to the distribution section 389, and a second transmission means 387 that transmits the driving force of the second drive motor M2 to the distribution section 389.

[0284] As described above, the upper surface base 381 is a plate member having a rolling surface along which game balls sent from the third ball sending path KR3 and the fourth ball sending path KR4 are sent, and is formed from a plate-like body that is approximately rectangular when viewed from above. The upper surface base 381 is mainly formed with two first rolling portions 381a recessed from the back side to the front side, an upright portion 381b erected surrounding the back side of the first rolling portion 381a, a second rolling portion 381c recessed and branching from the center of the front-to-rear direction of the rolling portion 381a, a third rolling portion 381d formed on the front side of the second rolling portion 381c at a position sandwiching the rotors 372R, 372L, a fourth rolling portion 381e formed adjacent to the third rolling portion 381d and to which the first rolling portion 381a is connected, and a shaft support hole 381f opened in the direction of gravity at a position sandwiching the first rolling portion 381a on the base side of the second rolling portion 381c.

[0285] The first rolling portion 381a is a path along which the game ball thrown on the fourth ball throwing path KR4 is thrown, and is formed with a downward incline from the rear end where the game ball is thrown from the fourth ball throwing path KR4 toward the front side, thereby forming a fifth ball throwing path KR5 that throws the game ball thrown on the fourth ball throwing path KR4 toward the front side.

[0286] As described above, the fourth ball throwing path KR4 is divided into two in the left-right direction, and the first rolling portions 381a are formed below the two fourth ball throwing paths KR4 in the direction of gravity, respectively. As a result, each fourth ball throwing path KR4 is connected to each fifth ball throwing path KR5.

[0287] The two first rolling portions 381a are each extended toward the front side and join together just before being connected to the fourth rolling portion 381e to form one rolling surface.

[0288] The standing portion 381b is a wall that guides the game ball sent from the fourth ball sending path KR4 to the first rolling portion 381a, and the standing tip portion (the upper end portion in the direction of gravity) is arranged to abut against the guide portion 330b of the intermediate member 330 described above. This allows the game ball flowing down the fourth ball sending path KR4 to be reliably sent to the fifth ball sending path KR5 of the first rolling portion 381a.

[0289] The second rolling portion 381c is a surface that extends from the approximate center position of the first rolling portion 381a that extends from the rear side to the front side to the outside of the upper surface base 381, and is formed lower than the first rolling portion 381a, and is formed to slope downward as it goes toward the outside of the upper surface base 381. Therefore, the game ball that rolls over the upper part of the first rolling portion 381a and is sent to the front side can be made to collide with a sorting portion 389, which will be described later, and sent to the second rolling portion 381c.

[0290] In addition, since the second rolling portion 381c is formed to be inclined downward as it goes outward in the left-right direction as described above, the game ball thrown to the second rolling portion 381c rolls in a direction away from the first rolling portion 381a and is thrown. That is, the second rolling portion 381c forms a sixth ball throwing path KR6 along which the ball is thrown.

[0291] The second rolling portion 381c is formed with a recessed shape at the center position in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction, making it difficult for the game ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c to sway. This makes it possible to stabilize the game ball sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6.

[0292] The third rolling portion 381d is a surface that receives a gaming ball thrown by the rotating bodies 372R, 372L described below, and is formed adjacent to the rotating bodies 372R, 372L and is formed with a downward inclination toward the fourth rolling portion 381e (front side). Therefore, the gaming ball thrown from the rotating bodies 372R, 372L to the upper surface of the third rolling portion 381d rolls on the upper surface of the third rolling portion 381d and is thrown to the fourth rolling portion 381e. In other words, the third rolling portion 381d forms a seventh ball throwing path KR7 that throws the gaming ball to the fourth rolling portion 381e.

[0293] The fourth rolling portion 381e is an inclined surface for causing the game balls rolling on the third rolling portion 381d and the first rolling portion 381a to fall toward the front side, and is formed at a position lower in the direction of gravity than the third rolling portion 381d and the first rolling portion 381a, and is formed with a downward inclination toward the front side. This allows the game balls thrown from the third rolling portion 381d and the first rolling portion 381a to roll smoothly onto the upper surface of the fourth rolling portion 381e and toward the front side of the fourth rolling portion 381e. In other words, the fourth rolling portion 381e forms an eighth ball throwing path KR8 that causes the game balls thrown from the first rolling portion 381a and the third rolling portion 381d to flow down toward the front side of the main body 380.

[0294] The shaft support hole 381f is formed at a middle position between two second rolling portions 381c formed on both sides of the main body portion 380, penetrating in the direction of gravity.

[0295] V winning member 382 is a ball receiving section that sends some of the game balls sent from fourth rolling section 381e of upper surface base 381 to the front side into V winning member 382, ​​and is formed in a box-like shape that is open on the side of upper surface base 381 arranged above. V winning member 382 is formed mainly with shaft section 382c formed to protrude downward in the direction of gravity, and curved section 382b protruding in a semicircular shape centered on shaft section 382c.

[0296] The shaft 382c is connected to a part of the transmission means that transmits the driving force from the first drive motor M1, and is formed to protrude downward in the direction of gravity from the bottom surface of the approximately box-shaped V winning member 382. Therefore, when the driving force is applied from the first drive motor M1, the V winning member 382 can rotate around the shaft 382c.

[0297] The curved portion 382b is a protruding portion that prevents a gap from being formed on the front side of the main body portion 380 when the V winning member 382 rotates around the axis portion 382c, and is formed to protrude in a circular shape centered on the axis of the axis portion 382c on both circumferential sides of the V winning member 382.

[0298] The first lower surface base 383 is provided to cover the lower surface of the upper surface base 381, and has a recess 383a that is recessed downward in the direction of gravity on a part of the front side.

[0299] Recess 383a is a recess that forms an opening for allowing V winning component 382 to protrude from between upper surface base 381 and first lower surface base 383, and is set to a recess depth greater than the height dimension in the direction of gravity of V winning component 382. This allows a portion of V winning component 382 to protrude through recess 383a when V winning component 382 is placed between opposing upper surface base 381 and first lower surface base 383.

[0300] The first transmission means 384 is formed of a first gear 384a connected to the first drive motor M1 and a second gear 384b connected to the shaft support hole 381f of the V winning member 382. The first transmission means 384 is covered and held by a cover plate 385 disposed opposite the first lower base 383.

[0301] The first gear 384a is formed in a circular shape, and has gear teeth 384a1 carved into its outer circumferential surface. The second gear 384b is formed in a generally fan shape when viewed from above. The second gear 384b has gear teeth 384b1 carved into its outer circumferential surface to mesh with the first gear 384a, and has a through-hole 384b2 formed on the axial side of the gear teeth 384b1 that penetrates in the direction of gravity.

[0302] The through-hole 384b2 is a hole that fits onto the shaft 382c of the V winning member 382, ​​and is formed with an inner diameter that is approximately the same as or smaller than the diameter of the shaft 382c. Therefore, when the first drive motor M1 rotates, the driving force is transmitted from the first gear 384a to the second gear 384b, and the shaft 382c that fits onto the shaft 382c of the second gear 384b rotates, causing the V winning member 382 to rotate.

[0303] The sorting section 389 is formed mainly by a shaft section 389a that can be inserted into the shaft support hole 381f of the upper surface base 381, and a path switching section 390b that bulges outward in a fan shape in the radial direction from the base of the shaft section 389a. The sorting section 389 is also disposed between the two second rolling sections 381c.

[0304] As the sorting unit 389 is displaced, a fan-shaped bulge of the path switching unit 390b is positioned on the fifth ball throwing path KR5. This allows the game ball sent on the fifth ball throwing path KR5 to be sent to the second rolling unit 381c. The sorting unit 389 will be described in detail later.

[0305] The tip of the shaft 389a is inserted into a shaft support hole 381f of the upper base 381, and is connected to a part of the second transmission means 387. As a result, when a driving force is applied to the second drive motor M2, the shaft 389a is rotated via the transmission means 387.

[0306] The second transmission means 387 is formed of a first gear 387a connected to the second drive motor M2 and a second gear 387b connected to a shaft 389a of the sorting unit 389. The second transmission means 387 is covered by and held by a second lower surface base 388 disposed opposite the upper surface base 381.

[0307] The first gear 387a is formed in a circular shape with gear teeth carved on its outer circumferential surface. The second gear 387b is formed in a generally fan shape when viewed from above. The second gear 387b has gear teeth 387b1 carved on its outer circumferential surface that mesh with the first gear 387a, and is formed with a through-hole 387b2 that penetrates in the direction of gravity.

[0308] The through-hole 387b2 is a hole that fits onto the shaft portion 389a of the sorting unit 389, and is formed with an inner diameter that is approximately the same as or smaller than the diameter of the shaft portion 389a. Therefore, when the second drive motor M2 rotates, the driving force is transmitted from the first gear 387a to the second gear 387b, and the shaft portion 389a that fits onto the shaft portion 389a of the second gear 387b rotates, causing the sorting unit 389 to rotate.

[0309] Next, the operation of sorting unit 389 will be described with reference to Figures 59 to 61. Figures 59 to 61 are top views of sorting unit 389. Note that second transmission means 387 is shown by dashed lines in Figures 59 to 61. Also, Figure 59 shows a state in which sorting unit 389 has been rotated leftward around shaft 389a, with Figure 60 being the initial position, and Figure 61 shows a state in which sorting unit 389 has been rotated rightward around shaft 389a, with Figure 60 being the initial position.

[0310] As shown in Figure 60, when the gear teeth 387b1 of the second gear 387b mesh with the gear teeth of the first gear 387a at approximately the center position, the path switching section 389b of the sorting section 389 is in a left-right symmetrical state around the center line in the left-right direction.

[0311] Next, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the initial position to the second transmission means 387, and as shown in Figure 59, when the distribution unit 389 is rotated to the left as viewed from above around the axis 389a, the path switching unit 389b is positioned to the right as viewed from the front.

[0312] In this case, the distance between the left end of the path switching unit 389b and the left end of the left-side fifth ball throwing path KR5 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the ball. Therefore, a game ball thrown on the left-side fifth ball throwing path KR5 cannot pass through the fifth ball throwing path KR5 and is thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6. On the other hand, the distance between the right end of the sorting unit 389 and the right end of the right-side fifth ball throwing path KR5 is set to be larger than the diameter of the ball. Therefore, a game ball thrown on the right-side fifth ball throwing path KR5 is not thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6 but is thrown to the fifth ball throwing path KR5 and then to the eighth ball throwing path KR8.

[0313] In the state of FIG. 61 (a state rotated in the opposite direction to that of FIG. 59), the path switching unit 389b is positioned on the left side when viewed from the front.

[0314] In this case, the distance between the right end of the path switching unit 389b and the right end of the right-side fifth ball throwing path KR5 is made smaller than the diameter of the gaming ball. Therefore, a gaming ball thrown on the right-side fifth ball throwing path KR5 cannot pass through the fifth ball throwing path KR5 and is thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6. On the other hand, the distance between the left end of the sorting unit 389 and the left end of the left-side fifth ball throwing path KR5 is made larger than the diameter of the ball. Therefore, a gaming ball thrown on the left-side fifth ball throwing path KR5 is not thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6, but is thrown to the fifth ball throwing path KR5 and then to the eighth ball throwing path KR8.

[0315] Next, with reference to Figures 62 to 64, a description will be given of a gaming ball flowing down the second fifth ball sending path KR5 when the sorting section 389 is rotated leftward as viewed from above around the axis section 389a.

[0316] Figures 62 to 64 are top views of the variable unit 360. Note that Figures 62 to 64 show the transition state of the gaming ball flowing down.

[0317] As shown in Figures 62 to 64, when the distribution unit 389 is rotated to the left when viewed from above around the axis unit 389a, when a game ball is thrown to the second ball throwing path KR5, the game ball passing through one of the fifth ball throwing paths (in Figures 62 to 64, the fifth ball throwing path KR5 on the right) is thrown to the eighth ball throwing path KR8 without interfering with the path switching unit 389b.

[0318] On the other hand, a gaming ball passing through the other fifth ball throwing path KR5 (the left fifth ball throwing path KR5 in FIGS. 62 to 64) interferes with the path switching unit 389b and is thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6.

[0319] That is, in this embodiment, by rotating and displacing the distribution unit 389, the path along which the balls flow can be switched, allowing the player to see the paths along which multiple game balls flow, thereby increasing the player's interest.

[0320] Next, the operation of the V winning member 382 will be described with reference to Figure 65. Figures 65(a) to 65(c) are top views of the variable unit 360. Note that in Figures 65(a) to 65(c), the first transmission means 384 is illustrated by a dashed line. Figure 65(a) also illustrates a state in which the V winning member 382 has been rotated clockwise around the axle 382c, with Figure 65(b) being the initial position, and Figure 65(c) illustrates a state in which the V winning member 382 has been rotated counterclockwise around the axle 382c, with Figure 65(b) being the initial position.

[0321] As shown in Figures 65(a) to 65(c), when the driving force of the first drive motor M1 is transmitted to the V winning member 382 by the first transmission means 384, its tip rotates around the shaft portion 382c and is displaced left and right.

[0322] This allows the position at which a game ball falling from the eighth ball sending path KR8 to the front side (from Figure 65(a) to the bottom side of Figure 65(c)) enters the inside of the V winning member 382 to be irregular, keeping the player in anticipation until the end as to whether or not the ball will enter the inside of the V winning member 382, ​​thereby increasing the player's interest.

[0323] Next, the rotating ball portion 370 of the adjustable unit 360 will be described with reference to Figures 66 and 67. Figure 66 is an exploded front perspective view of the rotating ball portion 370 of the adjustable unit 360, and Figure 67 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rotating ball portion 370 of the adjustable unit 360.

[0324] The rotating ball portion 370 is divided and arranged on both the left and right sides of the main body portion 380, and is mainly formed by a rod-shaped connecting rod 371 that inserts the rotating ball portion 370 divided on both sides into the main body portion 380 to connect them, a left rotating ball portion 370L arranged at one axial end side of the connecting rod 371 (left side in the left-right direction relative to the main body portion), and a right rotating ball portion 370R arranged at the other axial end side of the connecting rod 371 (right side in the left-right direction relative to the main body portion 380).

[0325] The right and left rotating ball sections 370R and 370L are different in that the drive means and the transmission means for transmitting the drive are disposed in the right rotating ball section 370R, and the rest of the shape is formed symmetrically with respect to the axis of gravity, so a detailed description of the left rotating ball section 370L will be omitted. The configuration of the left rotating ball section 370L is illustrated by changing the symbol R used in the configuration of the right rotating ball section 370R to L.

[0326] The right-side rotating ball portion 370R is formed mainly by a rotating body 372R that is connected to the other axial end of the connecting rod 371 and can rotate around the axis of the connecting rod 371, a drive motor 376R of a driving means that applies driving force to the rotating body 372R, a transmission means 377R that transmits the driving force of the drive motor 376R to the rotating body, an inner cover 373R to which the drive motor 376R is attached, and an outer cover 374R that is arranged opposite the inner cover 373R and holds the transmission means 377R between them so that it cannot fall off.

[0327] The rotating body 372R is formed by including a first rotating body 372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 372Rc connected to the first rotating body 372Ra, and a magnet 372Rb having magnetic force arranged inside the second rotating body 372Rc.

[0328] The first rotating body 372Ra is a cylindrical rotating body that rotates while connected to the connecting rod 371, and includes a through hole 372Ra1 that opens to the shaft. The through hole 372Ra1 is an opening into which the other end of the connecting rod 371 fits, and is formed with an inner diameter that is approximately the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting rod 371. Thus, the first rotating body 372Ra is connected by fitting the connecting rod 371 onto its outer surface.

[0329] The second rotor 372Rc is formed in a cylindrical shape with substantially the same outer shape as the first rotor 372Ra, and is disposed coaxially with and attached to the first rotor 372Ra.

[0330] In addition, the second rotating body 372Rc is the part that attracts and sends the game ball to its outer peripheral surface, and is formed with a recess 372Rc1 inside which the magnet 372Rb described later is inserted, and a groove portion 372Rc2 recessed into the outer peripheral surface radially outside the recess 372Rc1.

[0331] The recess 372Rc1 is recessed into the surface of the second rotating body 372Rc that is attached to the first rotating body 372Ra, and is formed with an inner shape that is approximately the same as the outer shape of the magnet 372Rb. Therefore, the rotating body 372R is assembled with the magnet 372Rb disposed inside by inserting the magnet 372Rb into the recess 372Rc1 of the second rotating body 372Rc and then attaching the second rotating body 372Rc to the first rotating body 372Ra.

[0332] The magnet 372Rb is formed in a disk shape and is inserted into the recess 372Rc1 of the second rotor 372Rc with its flat surface facing radially outward.

[0333] The transmission means 377R is a gear train that transmits the driving force of the drive motor 376R to the rotating body 372R, and is composed of transmission gears 377Ra to 377Rc. The leading transmission gear 377Ra is connected to the drive motor 376R, and the trailing transmission gear 377Rc is connected to the second rotating body Rc2. Therefore, when the drive motor 376R rotates, the driving force is transmitted from the transmission gear 377Ra to the transmission gear 377Rc, causing the rotating body 372R to rotate.

[0334] As described above, since the rotating body 372R is connected to the connecting rod 371, the rotating body 372L of the left rotating ball portion 370L is also connected to one end of the connecting rod 371. This allows the rotating bodies 372R and 372L to rotate synchronously.

[0335] The inner cover 373R has an opening for collecting game balls rolling in the main body 380, and is a plate for arranging the transmission means 377R of the right-side ball rotation transfer section 370R, and is mainly formed with a collection hole 373Ra that penetrates the first rotating body 372Ra in the axial direction, a guide wall 373Rb that protrudes from the edge of the collection hole 373Ra outward in the axial direction of the first rotating body 372Ra, a first opening 373Rc that opens on the axis of the second rotating body 372Rc and the transmission gear 377Rc, and a second opening 373Rd that opens on the axis of the drive motor 376R.

[0336] The recovery hole 373Ra is an opening through which a gaming ball passing through the fifth ball sending path KR5 is inserted, and is formed on the end side of the fifth ball sending path KR5 and has an inner shape larger than the diameter of the ball.

[0337] The guide wall 373Rb is a wall portion that causes game balls that pass through the inside of the recovery hole 373Ra to flow downward in the direction of gravity, and is provided to protrude from the edge of the recovery hole 373Ra, and is formed in a U-shape that is open on the bottom in a side view. Therefore, when the outer cover 374R is fitted over the inner cover 373R from the axial outside of the connecting rod 371, a sixth ball sending path KR6 for sending game balls can be formed between the opposing guide walls 373Rb.

[0338] The first opening 373Rc is an opening that allows the second rotor 372Rc and the transmission gear 377Rc to be connected together, and is formed in a circular shape with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the second rotor 372Rc, thereby allowing the transmission gear 377Rc, which is arranged on the outside of the inner cover 373R, to be connected together with the second rotor 372Rc.

[0339] The second opening 373Rd is an opening that allows the drive motor 376R and the transmission gear 377Ra to be connected, and is formed in a circular shape with an outer shape larger than the rotation shaft of the drive motor 376R. This allows the transmission gear 377Ra, which is arranged on the outside of the inner cover 373R, to be connected to the drive motor 376R.

[0340] Outer cover 374R is a plate member located on the left-right outer side of inner cover 373R, and has approximately the same outer shape as inner cover 373R in a side view. By covering inner cover 373R with outer cover 374R, the sixth ball throwing path KR6 described above is formed, and transmission gears 377Ra to 377Rc of transmission means 377R are rotatably held between outer cover 374R and inner cover 373R.

[0341] Next, the rotor 372R will be described in detail with reference to Figure 68. Figure 68(a) is a side view of the rotor 372R, Figure 68(b) is a top view of the rotor 372R, Figure 68(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotor 372R taken along line LXVIIIc-LXVIIIc in Figure 68(b), and Figure 68(d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotor 372R taken along line LXVIIId-LXVIIId in Figure 68(b). Note that in Figures 68(a) and 68(b), the outer shape of the magnet 372Rb is shown by a dashed line.

[0342] 68, the groove 372Rc2 formed in the second rotor 372Rc of the rotor 372R is recessed into a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the radial direction of the rotor 372R, and its outer shape is set to be larger than the outer shape of the magnet 372Rb. Furthermore, the groove 372Rc2 has a flat surface located on the radially inner side of the rotor 372R.

[0343] Next, the rotation of the rotating body 372R will be described with reference to Figures 69 and 70. Figures 69(a) to 69(c) are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of the displacement unit 560 taken along line LXIX-LXIX in Figure 56(a). Figures 70(a) to 70(c) are partial top views of the displacement unit 560.

[0344] Note that Figure 69(a) shows a state in which groove 372Rc2 of second rotating body 372Rc is adjacent to sixth ball throwing path KR6, Figure 69(b) shows a state in which groove 372Rc2 of second rotating body 372Rc is located at the upper end, and Figure 69(c) shows a state in which groove 372Rc2 of second rotating body 372Rc is adjacent to ball throwing path KR7. Also, Figure 70(a) shows a state corresponding to Figure 69(a), Figure 70(b) shows a state corresponding to Figure 69(b), and Figure 70(c) shows a state corresponding to Figure 69(c), respectively.

[0345] 69(a) and 70(a), second rolling portion 381c of sixth ball throwing path KR6 is positioned above the rotation axis of rotor 372R in the direction of gravity. Therefore, when sixth ball throwing path KR6 and groove 372Rc2 of second rotor 372Rc are adjacent to each other, the flat surface on the radially inner side of groove 372Rc2 is inclined upward toward the front.

[0346] When a driving force is applied from the drive motor 376R from the state shown in Figures 69(a) and 70(a), the rotating body 372R rotates counterclockwise around its axis when viewed from the right (as viewed from the direction of Figure 69). Therefore, the state shown in Figures 69(c) and 70(c) is formed via the state shown in Figures 69(b) and 70(b).

[0347] 69(c) and 70(c), third rolling portion 381d of seventh ball throwing path KR6 is disposed above the rotation axis of rotor 372R in the direction of gravity and above second rolling portion 381c. Therefore, when seventh ball throwing path KR7 and groove 372Rc2 of second rotor 372Rc are adjacent to each other, the flat surface on the radially inner side of groove 372Rc2 is inclined upward toward the rear surface.

[0348] Next, the state in which the variable unit 360 and rear base 390 are combined will be described with reference to Fig. 71. Fig. 71(a) is a front view of the variable unit 360 and rear base 390, and Fig. 71(b) is a top view of the variable unit 360 and rear base 390.

[0349] 71(a) and 71(b), the variable unit 360 is disposed on one side below in the direction of gravity of the rear base 390. In addition, the two circular members 394 of the rear base 390 are disposed outside the first rolling portion 381a in the left-right direction.

[0350] Furthermore, the circular ring member 394 is disposed below the third ball throwing path KR3 described above. More specifically, the third ball throwing path KR3 is connected to the side of the substantially circular circular ring member 394 on the second rolling portion 392c side. Therefore, a game ball thrown inside the third ball throwing path KR3 can be guided to the upper surface of the circular ring member 394 and thrown to the second rolling portion 381c on the front side. As described above, the fourth ball throwing path KR4 is connected to the fifth ball throwing path formed by the first rolling portion 382a. That is, the third ball throwing path KR3 is connected to the sixth ball throwing path KR6, and the fourth ball throwing path KR4 is connected to the fifth ball throwing path KR5.

[0351] Next, referring to Figures 72 to 74, a gaming ball passing through the sixth ball sending path will be described. Figures 72(a) to 72(c) are top views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390, Figures 73(a) to 73(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 taken along line LXXIII-LXXIII in Figure 72(a), and Figures 74(a) to 74(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 taken along line LXXVI-LXXVI in Figure 71(b). Note that Figures 72(a) to 72(c), 73(a) to 73(c), and 74(a) to 74(c) each illustrate the transition state of the gaming ball.

[0352] As shown in Figures 72(a), 73(a) and 74(a), the game ball sent from the third ball sending path KR3 is guided to the upper surface of the circular member 394 and to the top of the second rolling portion 381c, as described above.

[0353] As shown in Figures 72(b), 73(b) and 74(b), the game ball rolling to the top of the second rolling portion 392c is rolled due to the downward slope of the second rolling portion 381c (see Figure 74(b)) and is sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6.

[0354] As shown in Figures 72(c), 73(c), and 74(c), a gaming ball sent to the end of the sixth ball sending path KR6 is sent to a collection hole 373Ra formed in the inner cover 373R, and flows down the passage formed between the opposing inner cover 373R and outer cover 374R to be collected. That is, the collection hole 373Ra of the inner cover 373R opens at the end of the sixth ball sending path KR6, and the lower end surface of the collection hole 373Ra is formed at approximately the same height as or slightly lower than the second rolling portion 381c. Therefore, a gaming ball sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6 can be smoothly sent into the collection hole 373Ra.

[0355] Furthermore, since the second rolling portion 381c is formed as an inclined surface that rolls the gaming ball in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating body 372R, the rolling direction of the gaming ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c and the throwing direction of the gaming ball sent in association with the rotation of the rotating body 372R can be made substantially perpendicular to each other. As a result, it is possible to provide variation to the movement of the gaming ball and ensure a sufficient number of gaming balls that can be seen at one time, thereby increasing the interest of the player.

[0356] Next, with reference to Figure 75, a case where the stopper portion 396 of the rear base 390 is displaced will be described. Figure 75(a) is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 in a state before the stopper portion 396 is displaced, and Figure 75(b) is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 in a state after the stopper portion 396 is displaced. Figures 75(a) and 75(b) correspond to the cross section in Figure 73(a).

[0357] 75(a), before the stopper portion 396 is displaced, the end portion A2 is positioned above the axis of the shaft hole 396c in the direction of gravity, as described above. Therefore, the sixth ball throwing path KR6 and the recovery hole 373Ra of the inner cover 373R are in a communication state, and game balls passing through the sixth ball throwing path KR6 can be collected by passing through the inside of the recovery hole 373Ra.

[0358] 75(b), when the stopper portion 396 is displaced, the end portion A2 is at substantially the same height in the direction of gravity as the axis of the shaft hole 396c, as described above. Therefore, the stopper portion 396 is interposed between the sixth ball throw path KR6 and the recovery hole 373Ra, and the sixth ball throw path KR6 and the recovery hole 373Ra are blocked from each other. As a result, a game ball thrown along the sixth ball throw path KR6 comes into contact with the stopper portion 396 and stops.

[0359] Therefore, the rotating body 372R is provided with a stopper portion 396 that blocks the rolling of the game ball in the second rolling portion 381c, and the magnet of the rotating body 372R is arranged in a position where it can attract a game ball whose rolling has been blocked by the stopper portion 396.This makes it possible to create two situations: a situation in which a game ball rolling in the second rolling portion 381c is directly attracted to the rotating body 372R, and a situation in which a game ball rolling in the second rolling portion 381c is blocked by the stopper portion 396 and then attracted to the rotating body 372R (i.e., a situation in which a game ball that would have passed through without being attracted to the rotating body 372R if not blocked by the stopper portion 396 becomes able to be attracted to the rotating body 372R because it is blocked by the stopper portion 396), thereby increasing the player's interest.

[0360] Next, the game ball sent by the rotating body 372R will be described with reference to Figures 76 to 79. Figures 76 to 78 are top views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390, and Figures 79(a) to 79(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390.

[0361] Note that Figure 79(a) corresponds to the cross section of Figure 69(a), Figure 79(b) corresponds to the cross section of Figure 69(b), and Figure 79(c) corresponds to the cross section of Figure 69(c), respectively. Figures 76 to 78 and Figures 79(a) to 79(c) illustrate the transition states of the sphere.

[0362] 76 and 79(a), when the groove 372Rc2 of the second rotating body 372Rc is adjacent to the sixth ball throwing path KR6, the gaming ball thrown along the sixth ball throwing path KR6 is attracted to the magnet 372Rb disposed inside the second rotating body 372Rc. That is, the gaming ball is attracted to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2 of the second rotating body 372Rc.

[0363] When the rotor 372R is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 76 and FIG. 79(a), the rotor 372R is rotated with the ball attracted to the magnet 372Rb of the second rotor 372Rc.

[0364] Here, a gaming machine is known that includes a substantially cylindrical rotating member (rotating body 372R, 372L) that is rotatable with its rotation axis facing horizontally, and a magnet (372Rb) disposed on the rotating member that attracts a gaming ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member. When the rotating member rotates with a gaming ball attracted to the outer circumferential surface, the gaming ball is sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating member. When two gaming balls roll in succession toward the rotating member, the leading gaming ball may be attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member, and the following gaming ball may be attracted to the leading gaming ball. In this case, as the rotating member rotates, the weight of the two balls acts, causing the problem of the attraction between the rotating member and the leading gaming ball being released.

[0365] In contrast, according to this embodiment, a second rolling portion 381c is provided that is juxtaposed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R and on which the game balls roll, and the second rolling portion 381c is located above the rotation axis of the rotating member in the direction of gravity. Therefore, for example, when two game balls are rolled in a line toward the rotating body 372R on the second rolling portion 381c, and the leading game ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R and a following game ball is attracted to the leading game ball, the leading game ball can be easily placed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R. Therefore, it is difficult for the attraction between the rotating body 372R and the leading game ball to be released.

[0366] Here, the game ball that is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R and sent is received by the third rolling portion 381d that is arranged alongside the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R on the opposite side of the rotating body 372R from the second rolling portion 381c. However, at this time, the game ball tends to bounce off the third rolling portion 381d, which creates the problem that it is difficult to send the game ball smoothly from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R to the third rolling portion 381d.

[0367] In contrast, in this embodiment, the third rolling portion 381d is located above the rotation axis of the rotating body 372R in the direction of gravity, so that the gaming ball is prevented from bouncing off the third rolling portion 381d, and the gaming ball can be smoothly sent from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R to the third rolling portion 381d. That is, the gaming ball can be received by the third rolling portion 381d before the downward displacement component in the direction of gravity becomes large due to the rotation of the rotating body 372R (i.e., at a stage when the horizontal component is relatively large), so that the gaming ball can be prevented from bouncing off the third rolling portion 381d. Furthermore, before the gaming ball is received by the third rolling portion 381d, the attraction of the gaming ball is released, so that the gaming ball can be prevented from falling from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R to the third rolling portion 381d. From this point of view, the gaming ball can be prevented from bouncing off the third rolling portion 381d.

[0368] Furthermore, since the third rolling portion 381d is formed with a downward inclination in the direction away from the rotating body 372R, the throwing direction of the gaming ball attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R and thrown in association with the rotation of the rotating body 372R can be made closer to the rolling direction of the subsequent gaming ball received by the third rolling portion 381d. As a result, the gaming ball can be prevented from bouncing on the third rolling portion 381d, and the gaming ball can be smoothly thrown from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R to the third rolling portion 381d.

[0369] The rotating body 372R has a groove 372Rc2 recessed in its outer circumferential surface, and the magnet 372Rb is disposed at a position where the gaming ball is attracted to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2, so that the gaming ball can be supported by the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2 (the step between the outer circumferential surface). As a result, for example, when two gaming balls are rolled in a line toward the rotating body 372R on the second rolling portion 381c, and the leading gaming ball is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R, and the following gaming ball is attracted to the leading gaming ball, it is difficult for the attraction between the rotating body 372R and the leading gaming ball to be released.

[0370] Furthermore, the recess depth of the groove 372Rc2 is set to a dimension that allows the game ball to contact the bottom surface of the groove 372Rc2 when the game ball is fitted in the groove 372Rc2, and the dimension is set smaller on the third rolling portion 381d side than on the second rolling portion 381c side, so that when the game ball sent with the rotation of the rotating body 372R wobbles in the rotation direction of the rotating body 372R, the game ball can be easily rolled (dropped) from the groove 372Rc2 to the third rolling portion 381d side. In other words, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being released from adhesion and returning to the second rolling portion 381c.

[0371] 77 and 79(b), the groove 372Rc2 of the second rotor 372Rc shown in Figures 78 and 79(c) rotates to a position adjacent to the seventh ball throwing path KR7, and the game ball attracted to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2 gets caught on the third rolling portion 381d of the seventh ball throwing path KR7. As a result, the ball is released from the attraction with the magnet 372Rb of the second rotor 372Rc, and is thrown along the seventh ball throwing path KR7.

[0372] Here, if the adhesion between the rotating body 372R and the game ball is released below the axis of the rotating body in the direction of gravity, the gravity of the game ball will be more likely to act around the axis of the rotating body 372R, which may increase the rotation speed of the rotating body 372R.

[0373] Therefore, when the adhesion between the rotating body 372R and the gaming ball is released, the kinetic energy of the rotating body 372R increases, causing the rotating body 372 to bounce when it collides with the third rolling portion 381d. Alternatively, if the rotating body 372 is rotated and the gaming ball is sent below the axis of the rotating body 372R in the direction of gravity while the gaming ball is attached to the rotating body 372, the rotating body 372 can no longer support the gaming ball, causing the adhesion between the rotating body 372 and the gaming ball to be released, causing the gaming ball to fall onto the third rolling portion 381d and bounce.

[0374] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the base of the third rolling portion 381d is disposed above the axis of the rotating body 372 in the direction of gravity, so that the adhesion between the rotating body 372 and the game ball can be released above the axis of the rotating body 372 in the direction of gravity. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball from bouncing when the adhesion between the rotating body 372 and the game ball is released.

[0375] Furthermore, the third rolling portion 381d is formed with a downward inclination in the direction from the second rolling portion 381c to the third rolling portion 381d, so that the throwing direction of a gaming ball adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372 and thrown can be made to approximately coincide with the rolling direction of the third rolling portion 381d. Therefore, a gaming ball adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372 has kinetic energy in the rotational direction due to the rotational displacement of the rotating body 372, and therefore, when the third rolling portion 381d releases the adsorption from the rotating body 372, the gaming ball tends to move in the direction in which the kinetic energy acts. As described above, the throwing direction of a gaming ball adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372 and thrown can be made to approximately coincide with the rolling direction of the third rolling portion 381d, so that the gaming ball thrown to the third rolling portion 381d can be made to roll more easily. As a result, the gaming ball thrown to the third rolling portion 381d can be made to roll more easily.

[0376] The game ball sent along the seventh ball sending path KR7 rolls toward the front side due to the downward inclination of the third rolling portion 381d toward the front side, and is sent to the eighth ball sending path KR8.

[0377] Therefore, a game ball sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6 can be sent to the seventh ball sending path KR7 by the rotation of the rotating body 372R. Therefore, multiple ball sending paths can be formed, which increases the interest of the player.

[0378] Next, with reference to Figure 80, the attraction of a game ball to the inner surface of the groove portion 372Rc2 of the second rotor 372Rc will be described in detail. Figure 80 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390. Note that Figure 80 corresponds to the cross-section of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 in Figure 69(a). Figure 80 also illustrates a state in which the ball has been slightly rotated after being attracted to the inner surface of the groove portion 372Rc2. Furthermore, Figure 80 illustrates the connection portion between the groove portion 372Rc2 on the opposite side to the rotation direction of the rotor 372 and the second rotor 372Rc, with the symbol A3 added.

[0379] As shown in Figure 80, in a device that attracts and sends game balls to the outer surface of a rotating body, there is a possibility that a game ball that is subsequently sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6 will be attracted to a game ball that is attracted to the inner surface of the groove portion 372Rc2. When a trailing game ball attracts a leading game ball, the gravity of the two game balls acts on the attraction surface between the groove portion 372Rc2 and the leading game ball. As a result, there is a problem in that when the trailing game ball attracts the leading game ball, the attraction between the leading game ball and the groove portion 372Rc2 is released.

[0380] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 80, a gaming ball attracted to the inner periphery of the groove portion 372Rc2 is sent in a state of contact with the end portion A3. As a result, even if a force in the direction of gravity acts on the ball, the end portion A3 supports the gaming ball, making it difficult for the ball to be displaced in the direction of gravity, and the gaming ball can be prevented from falling from the groove portion 372Rc2. Therefore, even if a following gaming ball is attracted to a preceding gaming ball, the attraction between the preceding gaming ball and the groove portion 372Rc2 can be prevented from being released.

[0381] As described above, the sixth ball sending path KR6 is formed above the rotation axis of the rotor 372R in the direction of gravity, so that the game ball attracted to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2 can easily come into contact with the end A3. As a result, the game ball can be effectively prevented from being released from the attraction between the groove 372Rc2 and the game ball.

[0382] Next, the winning port unit 600 will be described with reference to Figures 81 to 90. First, the overall configuration of the winning port unit 600 will be described with reference to Figures 81 to 83. Figure 81(a) is a front view of the winning port unit 600, and Figure 81(b) is a rear view of the winning port unit 600. Figure 82 is an exploded front perspective view of the winning port unit 600, and Figure 83 is an exploded rear perspective view of the winning port unit 600.

[0383] As shown in Figures 81 to 83, the winning port unit 600 is formed mainly by comprising a decorative panel 610 having a plurality of winning ports 26, 27, 28, a base plate 630 arranged opposite the decorative panel 610 and forming a flow path for game balls between the opposing sides, a path member 640 forming a ball sending path for game balls between the base plate 630, and a variable winning device 650 arranged on the base plate 630 and guiding game balls flowing down between the opposing sides of the decorative panel 610 and the base plate 630 to one of the winning ports 26, 27, 28.

[0384] The decorative panel 610 is formed from a left cover member 611 having the left starting winning opening 26, a right cover member 612 having the right starting winning opening 27, and a central cover member 613 having the middle starting winning opening 28.

[0385] The left cover member 611 and the right cover member 612 are formed symmetrically with the central cover member 613 in between, and a detailed description will be given only of the right cover member 612. In this case, the left starting winning hole 26 corresponds to the right starting winning hole 27.

[0386] The right cover member 612 is formed from a plate-like body that is curved in a semicircular shape on the lower side in the direction of gravity when viewed from the front, and a right starting winning hole 27 is formed to protrude near the curved axis.

[0387] The central cover member 613 is formed in a semicircular shape with a curved upper side when viewed from the front, and is disposed in the center of the left cover member 611 and the right cover member 612. The central cover member 613 is formed mainly by a guide plate 613a protruding from the vicinity of the curved axis, erected walls 613b and 613c protruding in an arc shape centered on the curved axis, a central starting winning opening 28 formed between the opposing erected walls 613b and 613c, and cover side protrusions 613d protruding from both sides of the guide plate 613a.

[0388] The guide plate 613a is a protrusion for guiding a gaming ball inserted inside the middle start winning opening 28 to a through-hole 632a of the base plate 630, which will be described later, and is arranged above the through-hole 632a in the direction of gravity. The guide plate 613a is also formed so that its upper surface slopes downward toward the tip of the protrusion. This allows the gaming ball that passes through the middle start winning opening 28 and is sent to the upper surface of the guide plate 613a to roll toward the back side of the base plate 630 and be sent to the through-hole 632a of the base plate 630.

[0389] Furthermore, guide plate 613a is formed with a contact surface 613a1 with a large inclination angle on the upper surface on the base side, and a rolling surface 613a2 with a smaller inclination angle than contact surface 613a1 on the upper surface on the tip side.

[0390] The contact surface 613a1 is a surface that contacts the gaming ball entering the middle start winning opening 28 to stabilize the sending of the gaming ball to the through-hole 632a, and contacts the outer surface of the gaming ball sent through the middle start winning opening 28 that is closer to the front than the lower end in the direction of gravity. That is, the distance dimension of the contact surface 613a1 from the connecting portion with the rolling surface 613a2 to the base is set to be larger than the radius of the gaming ball, and the dimension upward in the direction of gravity is set to be larger than the radius of the gaming ball. Therefore, the gaming ball inserted through the middle start winning opening 28 can contact the rolling surface 613a2. As a result, the component of the force in the direction of gravity of the gaming ball sent to the middle start winning opening 28 can be applied to the through-hole 632a side by reaction to the collision with the contact surface 613a1. As a result, the game ball sent into the middle start winning opening 28 can be smoothly guided to the through hole 632a of the base plate 630.

[0391] The standing walls 613b and 613c are wall portions that form the middle starting winning opening 28, and are formed symmetrically on either side of the middle starting winning opening 28. The standing walls 613b and 613c are formed from one side that is curved and the other side that is formed hanging down from the center. The middle starting winning opening 28 is formed between the opposing other sides of the standing walls 613b and 613c.

[0392] One side of the standing walls 613b, 613c is a rolling surface for game balls that are not inserted into the middle start winning opening 28 and flow down the game board 13, and are sent to the outlet 71. Since game balls sent to the upper surface of one side of the standing walls 613b, 613c can be made to flow down outward in the left-right direction, a space can be formed below the standing walls 613b, 613c.

[0393] The cover side protrusion 613d is a protrusion for slowing down the speed of the game ball rolling on the upper part of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 described later, and will be described in detail later.

[0394] The base plate 630 is formed in the shape of a horizontally elongated rectangular plate when viewed from the front, and is provided with a left recess 631, a central recess 632, and a right recess 633, which are recessed toward the back side at the portions where the cover members 611, 612, and 613 of the decorative panel 610 are arranged.

[0395] The left recess 631 is formed with a left through hole 631a formed at a position opposite the left starting winning opening 26 of the left cover member 611, and a second through hole 631b located lower in the direction of gravity than the left through hole 631a and formed through the end of the left recess 631.

[0396] The left through-hole 631a is a path for the game ball to flow down after being sent into the left start winning opening 26, and is formed penetrating from the front side to the back side, with its inner shape being larger than the outer shape of the game ball. This allows the game ball sent to the left start winning opening 26 to be collected through the left through-hole 631a.

[0397] The second through-hole 631b is an opening through which gaming balls passing near the left start winning opening 26 and flowing down are inserted, and is formed at the lower end of the left recess 631 and at a position opposite one end on the left side as viewed from the front of a pathway member 640 described later. This allows gaming balls that are not sent to the left start winning opening 26 but flow down between the opposing left recess 631 and left cover member 611 to be sent to the pathway member 640 through the second through-hole 631b.

[0398] The right recess 633 is mainly formed with a right through hole 633a formed at a position opposite the right starting winning opening 27 of the right cover member 612, and a second through hole 633b located lower in the direction of gravity than the right through hole 633a and formed through the end of the left recess 631.

[0399] The right through-hole 633a is a path for the game ball to flow down after being sent into the right start winning opening 27, and is formed penetrating from the front side to the back side, with the inner shape being larger than the outer shape of the ball. This allows the game ball sent to the right start winning opening 27 to be collected through the right through-hole 633a.

[0400] The second through-hole 633b is an opening through which gaming balls passing near the right start winning opening 27 and flowing down are inserted, and is formed at the lower end of the right recessed portion 633 and at a position opposite to the other end on the right side as viewed from the front of the path member 640 described below. This allows gaming balls that are not sent to the right start winning opening 27 but flow down between the opposing right recessed portion 633 and the right cover member 612 to be sent to the path member 640 through the second through-hole 633b.

[0401] Therefore, the opening of the flow path of the game balls formed between the opposing left and right recesses 631, 633 and the decorative board 610 is located higher in the direction of gravity than the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27, and the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27 are disposed inside the flow path of the game balls formed between the opposing left and right recesses 631, 633 and the decorative board 610, so that some of the game balls that flow into the second through holes 631b, 633b can be made to enter the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27. In other words, game balls that flow down without entering the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27 can be reliably made to flow into the path member 640. As a result, the player's anticipation of the ball entering the second winning opening can be heightened, and the enjoyment of the game can be improved.

[0402] The central recess 632 is mainly formed by a through hole 632a formed through approximately the center of the base plate 630 in the left-right direction, two insertion holes 632c formed through on either side of the through hole 632a, a connecting hole 632b opening above the insertion hole 632c, and base side protrusions 632d located on either side of the through hole 632a and protruding toward the central cover member 613.

[0403] The through hole 632a is an opening for inserting the game ball rolling on the top of the guide plate 613a into the interior, and is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the ball, and as described above, is formed lower in the direction of gravity than the guide plate 613a of the central cover member 613.

[0404] As described above, the insertion holes 632c are formed on both left and right sides of the through-hole 632a. The insertion holes 632c are formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and are formed to slope downward toward the through-hole 632a.

[0405] The connecting hole 632b is an opening through which the game ball sent along the path member 640, which will be described later, is discharged to the front side of the base plate 630, and is formed above the outside of the insertion hole 632c (the side away from the through hole 632a).

[0406] The base side protrusion 632d is a protrusion that slows down the speed of the game ball rolling on the top of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650, which passes through the inside of the insertion hole 632c and protrudes toward the central cover member 613, and is formed to protrude upward on the through hole 632a side of the insertion hole 632c.

[0407] The path member 640 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is formed in a generally box shape that is open on the side of the base plate 630. The path member 640 is a member for forming a path that connects the second through holes 631b, 633b and the connecting hole 632b, and is formed from a first path 641 that is formed on the left side when viewed from the front and connects the second through hole 631b and the connecting hole 632b on the left side when viewed from the front of the base plate 630, and a second path 642 that is formed on the right side when viewed from the front and connects the second through hole 633b and the connecting hole 632b on the right side when viewed from the front of the base plate 630.

[0408] The first path 641 and the second path 642 of the path member 640 are formed to slope downward as they approach each other. This allows a game ball sent from the second through-hole 631b to roll along the first path 641 and be sent to the connecting hole 632b. Also, a game ball sent from the second through-hole 633b to roll along the second path 642 and be sent to the connecting hole 632b.

[0409] The variable winning device 650 is a device that is provided with a variable plate 652 that can be slidably displaced, and is attached to the back side of the base plate 630, and is disposed with the variable plate 652 inserted into the insertion hole 632c.

[0410] Next, the variable winning device 650 will be described with reference to Figures 84 and 85. Figure 84(a) is a front view of the variable winning device 650, and Figure 84(b) is a top view of the variable winning device 650. Figure 85(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the variable winning device 650, and Figure 85(b) is an exploded rear perspective view of the variable winning device 650.

[0411] As shown in Figures 84 and 85, the variable winning device 650 is mainly formed by a front base 651 connected to the base plate 630, a variable plate 652 arranged so that it can be inserted inside the front base 651 and slidably displaced, a transmission member 653 connected to the base end of the variable plate 652 and capable of rotational displacement by the driving force of the driving means, a cover member 654 arranged around the transmission member 653, and a solenoid 655 of the driving means.

[0412] The front base 651 is formed in a roughly horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with an opening 651b into which the tip side of the variable plate 652 described later is inserted, and a recovery hole 651a connected to the through hole 632a of the base plate 630.

[0413] The recovery hole 651a is a hole for recovering game balls inserted into the through-hole 632a of the base plate 630, and is connected to the back side of the through-hole 632a.

[0414] The opening 651b is an opening for stabilizing the sliding of a variable plate 652, which will be described later, when the variable plate 652 is slidably displaced, and is formed slightly larger than the outer shape of the variable plate 652 when viewed from the front.

[0415] As described above, the two variable plates 652 are plate members that roll game balls on their upper surfaces, and their tips are inserted into the insertion holes 632c of the base plate 630 through the openings 651b. That is, the variable plates 652 are formed with an inclination in the direction in which they approach each other. As a result, when a game ball lands on the upper surface of the variable plates 652, the ball can be rolled and dropped onto the guide plate 613a.

[0416] Moreover, variable plate 652 has a recess 652a recessed in the direction of gravity. A rotation shaft 653a of a transmission member 653 (described later) is inserted into recess 652a, and the displacement of transmission member 653 is transmitted. As a result, a driving force is transmitted to variable plate 652, causing variable plate 652 to slide and displace.

[0417] The transmission member 653 is formed in a plate-like body, and a rotation shaft 653c formed at one end is connected to a shaft hole 654a formed in the cover member 654. The transmission member 653 also has an engagement portion 653b formed to protrude from the center of the rotation shaft 653a, and the engagement portion 653b engages with a protrusion 655a of the solenoid 655. Therefore, when the solenoid 655 is driven, the engagement portion 653b is pushed out, and the transmission member 653 is rotationally displaced around the rotation shaft 653c. This allows the variable plate 652 to be slidably displaced.

[0418] Therefore, a variable plate 652 is provided in the through hole 632a on the flow path of the middle start winning port 28, which makes it easier for game balls flowing downstream upstream of the through hole 632a to enter the through hole 632a by displacement action.This increases the probability that game balls that do not enter the left start winning port 26 and the right start winning port 27, but flow downstream near the left start winning port 26 and the right start winning port 27 and are sent inside the path member 640, will enter the through hole 632a.

[0419] Furthermore, since a pair of variable plates 652 are disposed on both sides of the through-hole 632a, each of which is inclined downward toward the through-hole 632a, when the variable plates 652 are formed in a protruding state, it becomes easier for a game ball flowing down from either the left or right side of the through-hole 632a to enter the through-hole 632a. This makes it possible to make the player more excited about the ball entering the through-hole 632a. As a result, it is possible to increase the enjoyment of the game.

[0420] Here, as a configuration for making it easier for game balls to enter the through-hole 632a, a pair of blade members, the base ends of which are rotatably supported on a rotating shaft protruding from the game board 13, are disposed in the through-hole 632a, and the game balls are guided into the through-hole 632a when the blade members are opened (so-called tulips). However, such a configuration requires space in the game area for the blade members to rotate (open and close). In particular, space is required above the through-hole 632a for the blade members to assume a closed position. This results in an increase in size in the vertical direction, reducing the space available for arranging other components (for example, the first ball entrance and the liquid crystal display device).

[0421] In contrast, according to this embodiment, a pair of variable plates 652, which are formed so as to be able to protrude toward the front side of the game board 13 and retract toward the rear side, are disposed on both sides of the through-hole 632a in an attitude that slopes downward toward the through-hole 632a, thereby achieving a vertically compact design. As a result, it is possible to secure space for arranging other components (for example, the first ball entrance and the liquid crystal display device).

[0422] Furthermore, since the connecting hole 632b of the path member 640 is disposed above the variable plate 652 in the direction of gravity, the protruding variable plate 652 can be used to make it easier for the game ball to enter the through-hole 632a. This makes it possible to make the player more excited about the ball entering the through-hole 632a. As a result, the enjoyment of the game can be improved.

[0423] Furthermore, one pair of second through-holes 631b and path member 640, and one pair of second through-holes 633b and path member 640 are formed, and the connecting hole 632b of one of the two sets of path member 640 is disposed above one of the pair of variable plates 652 in the direction of gravity, while the connecting hole 632b of the other set of path member 640 is disposed above the other variable plate 652 in the direction of gravity. Therefore, by using each of the pair of variable plates 652, it is possible to make it even easier for the game ball to enter the through-hole 632a. This can make the player more excited about the ball entering the through-hole 632a. As a result, the enjoyment of the game can be improved.

[0424] It is preferable that the second through-hole 631b and the path member 640, and the second through-hole 633b and the path member 640 are disposed spaced apart on both the left and right sides of the through-hole 632a (for example, the through-hole 632a is positioned in the widthwise center of the game area, and two sets are disposed symmetrically in the widthwise direction on either side of the through-hole 632a). This is because it makes it easier for game balls flowing down either one or the other side of the widthwise direction of the game area with respect to the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27 to enter the through-hole 632a, and the player can have stronger expectations for the ball entering the through-hole 632a.

[0425] Furthermore, since the edge of the variable plate 652 on the through-hole 632a side is located between the edge of the through-hole 632a on the lower side in the direction of gravity and the edge of the through-hole 632a on the upper side in the direction of gravity, when a game ball is thrown (displaced) in the width direction of the game area, the game ball can be made to abut against the edge of the variable plate 652 on the through-hole 632a side in the protruded state, making it easier for the game ball to enter the through-hole 632a. In other words, it is possible to prevent a game ball thrown (displaced) from one side in the width direction of the game area from passing in front of the through-hole 632a and being thrown (displaced) to the other side in the width direction (the game ball escaping in the width direction of the game area without entering the through-hole 632a).

[0426] Next, with reference to Figures 86 and 87, we will explain the path of the game ball sent by the winning port unit 600. Figure 86(a) is a front view of the winning port unit 600, and Figure 86(b) is a top view of the winning port unit 600. Figures 87(a) and 87(b) are partial front views of the winning port unit 600 in range LXXXVII of Figure 86.

[0427] 87(a) shows the state of the variable winning device 650 before displacement, and FIG. 87(b) shows the state of the variable winning device 650 after displacement. Also, in FIG. 86 and FIG. 87, the decorative panel 610 is shown in a transparent state. In FIG. 86(a), the path member 640 is shown by a dashed line.

[0428] As shown in Figures 86(a) and 86(b), the second through-hole 631b and the connecting hole 632b are connected by a first path 641 of a path member 640 disposed on the back side of the base plate 630. On the other hand, the second through-hole 633b and the connecting hole 632b are connected by a second path 642 of the path member 640. Therefore, a game ball that is not sent to the left start winning hole 26 or the right start winning hole 27 but is sent to each of the second through-holes 631b, 633b is sent inside the path member 640 and discharged from the connecting hole 632b.

[0429] 87(a), before the variable winning device 650 is driven, the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is retracted to the rear side of the central recess 632 of the base plate 630. Therefore, the game balls discharged from the connecting hole 632b flow downward and are collected by the outlet 71 formed in the game board 13.

[0430] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 87 (b), when the variable winning device 650 is driven (the variable plate is slid), the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in a state of protruding from the central recess 632 of the base plate 630 toward the front side. Connection hole 632b The game ball discharged from the variable plate 652 is sent to the upper surface of the variable plate 652.

[0431] Here, a gaming machine equipped with a first ball entrance and a second ball entrance is known. In this case, a gaming ball that does not enter the first ball entrance does not enter the second ball entrance, but is simply collected from the outlet. Therefore, if a gaming ball that is aimed at the first ball entrance does not enter the first ball entrance, a player cannot have any expectations about the subsequent fate of the gaming ball (the gaming ball flowing down). This has led to a problem in that the gaming machine is not sufficiently interesting to the player.

[0432] In contrast, this embodiment includes a path member 640 that forms a path for game balls that do not enter the left start winning opening 26 or the right start winning opening 27 and flow down, a game board 13 with a game area formed on the front side, and a plate-like variable plate 652 that can protrude to the front side of the game board 13 and can be retracted to the back side, and game balls that pass through the path member 640 can be guided to the through-hole 632a by the variable plate 652 that protrudes to the front side of the game board 13. Therefore, even if a game ball does not enter the left start winning opening 26 or the right start winning opening 27, the player can be drawn to the flow of the game ball and continue to have expectations that the ball will enter the through-hole 632a. As a result, the enjoyment of the game can be improved.

[0433] Furthermore, since the variable plate 652 is formed so as to be able to protrude to the front side of the game board 13 and retract to the rear side, when the variable plate 652 is not in operation, it can be retracted to the rear side of the game board 13, thereby securing space (expanding the game area) on the front side of the game board 13. In other words, the area in the game area where the game ball can move can be expanded.

[0434] Examples of the path member 640 include those formed as a closed passage through which the game ball can pass, those formed by one or more nails that determine the direction in which the game ball flows down, and those formed as an inclined surface (open passage) along which the game ball can roll.

[0435] Furthermore, even when the variable plate 652 is retracted into the back side of the game board 13, it is naturally possible for the game ball that has passed through the path member 640 to enter the through-hole 632a. In this case, it is preferable that the ball is more likely to enter the through-hole 632a when the variable plate 652 is protruding than when it is retracted. This is because it draws attention to the state of the variable plate 652, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0436] Furthermore, as described above, the probability that the wing 312 opens and closes to cause the game ball to flow into the movable ball entry device 300 when the game ball enters the center start entry port 28 is set higher than the probability that the wing 312 opens and closes to cause the game ball to flow into the movable ball entry device 300 when the game ball enters the left start entry port 26 and the right start entry port 27, so the player can have more hope that the game ball that does not enter the left start entry port 26 and the right start entry port 27 will enter the center start entry port 28. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player's interest from being lost.

[0437] That is, since the profit given to the player by the ball entering the through-hole 632a is set to be higher than the profit given to the player by the ball entering the left start winning hole 26 and the right start winning hole 27, even if the game ball does not enter the left start winning hole 26 and the right start winning hole 27, the player can have a stronger expectation that the game ball will enter the through-hole 632a. As a result, the interest in the game can be improved.

[0438] Examples of forms in which a player can receive a higher profit include a form in which a larger number of prize balls are paid out when a ball enters the machine, a form in which the opening time of the wing portion 312 that allows or restricts the entry of a ball into the third ball entrance (between the recess 311a and the upper front cover 313) is extended, a form in which the number of times the wing portion 312 is opened is increased, and a form in which the opening range of the wing portion 312 is increased.

[0439] Furthermore, since the base plate 60 is made of a transparent flexible material, the player can visually see the intersection of two paths, one flowing down the back side of the base plate 60 and the other flowing down the front side of the base plate 60. This prevents the player's interest from being lost.

[0440] That is, the path member 640 includes the second through-holes 631b and 633b that receive game balls that do not enter the left start winning port 26 and the right start winning port 27 but flow down, and the connecting hole 632b that allows the game balls that flow in from the second through-holes 631b and 633b to flow out into the game area, and is formed from a transparent flexible material, so that the player can visually confirm how the game balls that flow in from the second through-holes 631b and 633b flow down (pass) toward the connecting hole 632b (second ball entry port). As a result, the enjoyment of the game can be improved.

[0441] Next, the configuration around the through-hole 632a will be described in detail with reference to Figure 88. Figure 88(a) is a top view of the winning port unit 600, Figure 88(b) is a cross-sectional view of the winning port unit 600 taken along line LXXXVIIIb-LXXXVIIIb in Figure 88(a), and Figure 88(c) is a cross-sectional view of the winning port unit 600 taken along line LXXXVIIIc-LXXXVIIIc in Figure 81(a).

[0442] As shown in FIGS. 88(a) to 88(c), insertion holes 632c are opened at both left and right ends of the through-hole 632a, and the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is inserted therein. In this case, the height of the end of the variable plate 652 on the through-hole 632a side is set to be approximately the same as the midpoint of the height of the through-hole 632a in the direction of gravity. This ensures a sufficient height distance between the end of the variable plate 652 on the through-hole 632a side and the guide plate 613a. As a result, when a game ball rolling on the upper part of the variable plate 652 is sent to the through-hole 632a, a falling distance to the guide plate 613a can be ensured. This ensures a sufficient impact force when the ball hits the contact surface 613a1, and allows the ball to be sent smoothly to the through-hole 632a.

[0443] Base-side protrusions 632d of 632a protruding from central recess 632 of base plate 630 are formed in a generally triangular cross section with a protruding distance that decreases outward from through-hole 632a. Cover-side protrusions 613d protruding from central cover member 613 are also formed in a similarly triangular cross section with a protruding distance that decreases outward from through-hole 632a. Furthermore, base-side protrusions 632d and cover-side protrusions 613d are formed at different positions in the front-rear direction, with base-side protrusion 632d being closer to the through-hole 632a than cover-side protrusion 613d.

[0444] Furthermore, a guide plate 613a is provided that projects from the edge of the through-hole 632a below the direction of gravity toward the front side of the game board, and the guide plate 613a is formed to be inclined downward toward the through-hole 632a. Therefore, not only when the variable plate 652 is in a protruding state, but also when the variable plate 652 is in a retracted state, game balls that do not enter the left start winning hole 26 or the right start winning hole 27 but that flow downward (that have passed through the path member 640) can be made to enter the through-hole 632a more easily. This makes it possible to make the player more excited about the ball entering the through-hole 632a. As a result, the enjoyment of the game can be improved.

[0445] Next, with reference to Figure 89, a gaming ball inserted through the intermediate start winning hole 28 will be described. Figures 89(a) to 89(c) are cross-sectional views of the winning hole unit 600. Figures 89(a) to 89(c) correspond to Figure 88(b). Figures 89(a) to 89(c) also illustrate the respective transition states.

[0446] As shown in Figures 89(a) to 89(c), when a game ball is inserted through the intermediate start winning port 28, it flows down onto the upper surface of the guide plate 613a and comes into contact with the end of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 on the side of the through hole 7632a, allowing it to be sent stably to the through hole 632a.

[0447] Here, if the guide plate 613a receives the game ball flowing down, the impact of the collision may cause the ball to sway left and right and prevent it from entering the through-hole 632a.

[0448] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the height position of the end of the variable plate of the variable winning device 650 on the side of the through hole 632a is set to be approximately the same as the middle position of the through hole 632a in the direction of gravity, so that when the ball sways left and right due to the impact of colliding with the guide plate 613a, it can abut against the side of the variable plate and be sent smoothly into the through hole 632a.

[0449] Next, with reference to Figures 90(a) to 90(c), a description will be given of a game ball sent over the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650. Figures 90(a) to 90(c) are cross-sectional views of the winning port unit 600. Figures 90(a) to 90(c) correspond to Figure 88(c).

[0450] 90(a) to 90(c), a game ball sent to the path member 640 and sent to the upper part of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 rolls forward with the force of being discharged from the connecting hole 632b of the base plate 630, and rolls toward the through-hole 632a due to the inclination of the variable plate 652, thereby coming into contact with the cover-side protrusion 613d of the central cover member 613. As a result, the ball is guided toward the back side by the protruding shape of the cover-side protrusion 613d, and rolls along the upper part of the variable plate 652 toward the through-hole 632a.

[0451] Next, the game ball, which is sent to the rear side by the cover-side protrusion 613d and rolls toward the through-hole 632a, comes into contact with the base-side protrusion 632d. As a result, the ball is guided to the front side by the protrusion shape of the base-side protrusion 632d, and rolls over the upper part of the variable plate 652 toward the through-hole 632a, and flows down to the upper part of the guide plate 613a.

[0452] Here, if the game ball rolling on the top of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 does not come into contact with the cover side protrusion 613d and the base side protrusion 632d, the ball's rolling speed will increase, making the game ball's sending to the top of the guide plate 613a unstable, and there is a risk that the game ball's sending to the through hole 632a will become unstable.

[0453] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the game ball rolling on the top of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is brought into contact with the cover side protrusion 613d and the base side protrusion 632d, thereby slowing down the ball's rolling speed and stabilizing the sending of the game ball to the through hole 632a.

[0454] In addition, in this embodiment, the base-side protrusion 632d is formed closer to the through-hole 632a than the cover-side protrusion 613d, so that the game ball dropping onto the guide plate 613a can be reliably brought into contact with the contact surface 613a1 of the guide plate 613a. As a result, the game ball can be sent stably to the through-hole 632a.

[0455] Furthermore, on the upper surface of guide plate 613a, a ball throwing surface located on the side closer to through hole 632a and a contact surface 613a1 connected to the ball throwing surface and located farther from through hole 632a than rolling surface 613a2 are formed, and the angle of the downward slope of contact surface 613a1 toward through hole 632a is made larger than the angle of the downward slope of the ball throwing surface toward through hole 632a, so that the downward slope of contact surface 613a1 can be used to smoothly cause a game ball to enter through hole 632a. In particular, even when the slide member is sunk, the slope of contact surface 613a1, which has a large downward slope, can be used to make it easier for a game ball that does not enter the first ball entrance and flows down (has passed through the passage member) to enter through hole 632a.

[0456] Next, a variable unit 2360 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 91 to 96. Note that the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0457] In the first embodiment, the magnet 372Rb disposed on the rotor 372R is smaller than the recess 372Rc1, but in the second embodiment, it is larger than the magnet 2372Rb disposed on the rotor 2372R. Note that the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0458] Fig. 91(a) is a front view of the adjustable unit 2360 in the second embodiment, Fig. 91(b) is a top view of the adjustable unit 2360, and Fig. 91(c) is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable unit 2360 taken along line XCIc-XCIc in Fig. 91(b). Fig. 92 is an exploded front perspective view of the adjustable unit 2360. Fig. 93 is an exploded rear perspective view of the adjustable unit 2360. Note that in Figs. 91(a) and 91(b), the outline of the magnet 2372Rb is shown by a dashed line.

[0459] As shown in Figures 91 to 93, the rotating body 2372R in the second embodiment is formed with a first rotating body 2372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 2372Rc connected to the first rotating body 2372Ra, and a magnet 2372Rb arranged inside the second rotating body 2372Rc and the first rotating body 2372Ra.

[0460] The first rotating body 2372Ra is a cylindrical rotating body that rotates while being connected to the connecting rod 371, and is formed mainly with a through hole 372Ra1 that opens to the shaft, and a recess 2372Ra2 that is recessed toward the main body side.

[0461] The recess 2372Ra2 is a recess that accommodates the main body 380 side of the magnet 2372Rb, which will be described later, and is recessed in a shape that corresponds to the curved shape of the magnet 2372Rb. This allows the magnet 2372Rb to be accommodated inside the first rotor 2372.

[0462] Here, in order to prevent the gaming ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c from being attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2372R by the magnet 2372Rb disposed inside the rotor 2372R, and to attract the gaming ball to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2372R at the attraction position between the rotor 2372R and the gaming ball, it is necessary to change the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb acting on the radially outer side of the rotor 2372R. That is, in the portion where the rolling speed of the gaming ball is slowed, the magnetic force acting on the radially outer side of the rotor 2372R needs to be relatively small, and in the portion where the gaming ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2372R, the magnetic force acting on the radially outer side of the rotor 2372R needs to be relatively large.

[0463] Therefore, it was necessary to dispose two magnets 2372Rb with different magnetic forces inside the rotor 2372R for the part that slows down the rolling speed of the gaming ball and the part that attracts the gaming ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R, or to dispose a magnet 2372Rb that protrudes radially outward only in the attracting part. This posed a problem of increased costs in manufacturing the magnets 2372Rb.

[0464] In contrast, according to the second embodiment, the magnets 2372Rb are disposed at positions spaced the same distance radially outward from the axis of the rotor 2372R, and a radially recessed groove 2372Rc2 is formed at the position where the rotor 2372R and the gaming ball are attracted to each other, so that the magnetic force acting outside the attraction position can be made relatively strong because the groove 2372Rc2 is formed to be recessed radially. This makes it possible to form a portion that slows the rolling speed of the gaming ball and a portion that attracts the gaming ball to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2372R without complicating the shape of the magnet 2372Rb, thereby suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0465] The second rotor 2372Rc is formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer shape that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the first rotor 2372, and is disposed coaxially with the first rotor 2372Ra and attached to the first rotor 2372Ra.

[0466] The second rotor 372Rc is formed with a recess 372Rc1 recessed outward from the main body 380 side, and a groove 2372Rc2 recessed into the outer peripheral surface radially outward of the recess 372Rc1.

[0467] The groove portion 2372Rc2 is formed so that the radial recess distance becomes smaller toward the first rotating body 372Ra side (see FIG. 91(c)). This makes it possible to prevent a gaming ball attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 2372Ra from falling from the rotating body 2372R into the groove portion 2372Rc2 when it rolls on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 2372R and is received inside the groove portion 2372Rc2. As a result, the gaming ball can be sent stably to the groove portion 2372Rc2. The sending of the gaming ball from the rotating body 2372R will be described later.

[0468] Next, the magnet 2372Rb will be described with reference to Fig. 94. Fig. 94(a) is a front view of the magnet 2372Rb, Fig. 94(b) is a top view of the magnet 2372Rb, and Fig. 94(c) is a side view of the magnet 2372Rb.

[0469] 94(a) to 94(c), the magnet 2372Rb is formed in a curved shape coaxial with the rotation axis of the first rotating body 2372Ra in a side view. The magnet 2372Rb is also formed to be curved in the rotation direction of the rotating body 2372R toward the left side in a front view (the left side of FIG. 94(a)).

[0470] The rotating body 2372R configured as above is assembled as follows: First, one side of the magnet 2372Rb is inserted into the inside of the recess 2372Ra2 of the first rotating body 2372Ra. Next, the magnet 2372Rb protruding from the recess 2372Ra2 of the first rotating body 2372Ra is inserted into the recess 2372Rc1 of the second rotating body 2372Rc while fastening the first rotating body 2372Ra and the second rotating body 2372Rc together, thereby assembling the rotating body 2372R.

[0471] Next, the attraction between the rotor 2372R and the game ball will be described with reference to Figures 95 and 96. Figures 95(a) to 95(c) are top views of the variable unit 2360. Figure 96(a) is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the variable unit 2360 taken along line XCVIa-XCVIa in Figure 95(a), Figure 96(b) is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the variable unit 2360 taken along line XCVIb-XCVIb in Figure 95(b), and Figure 96(c) is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the variable unit 2360 taken along line XCVIc-XCVIc in Figure 95(c). Note that Figures 95(a) to 95(c) illustrate the transition state of the ball. Also, in Figures 95(a) to 95(c), the magnet 2372Rb is illustrated by a dashed line.

[0472] As shown in Figures 95(a) and 96(a), when the magnet 2372Rb on the first rotating body 2372Ra is adjacent to the sixth ball throwing path KR6, and a game ball is thrown onto the sixth ball throwing path KR6, the ball is attracted to the outer surface of the first rotating body 2372Ra by the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb.

[0473] As shown in Figures 95(b) and 96(b), when a game ball is adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 2372Ra and the rotating body 2372R is rotated around its axis, the ball is displaced downward due to its own weight and is sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6.

[0474] That is, in the portion where the rolling of the gaming ball is slowed down, when the magnet 2372Rb is positioned adjacent to the second rolling portion 381c due to the rotational displacement of the rotor 2372R, the gaming ball rolls on the second rolling portion 381c, thereby slowing down the rolling of the gaming ball. Furthermore, since the magnet 2372Rb is formed by bending around the axis in the rotational direction of the rotor 2372R, the position where the magnet 2372Rb and the second rolling portion 381c are adjacent can be displaced toward the attraction position of the rotor 2372R as the rotor 2372R rotates. Therefore, the gaming ball, whose rolling speed on the second rolling portion 381c is slowed down by the magnet 2372Rb, can be rolled radially outward from the attraction position as the rotor 2372R rotates. This allows the gaming ball, whose speed of rolling on the second rolling portion 381c has been slowed down, to be attracted to the rotating body 2372R.

[0475]

[0003] Here, a gaming machine is known that includes a substantially cylindrical rotating member that is rotatable with its rotation axis facing horizontally, and a magnet that is disposed on the rotating member and attracts a gaming ball to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member, and when the rotating member is rotated with the gaming ball attracted to the outer peripheral surface, the gaming ball is sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating member. However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, because the gaming ball rolls while swaying on the rolling surface, there is a problem that even when the rotating member is rotated and the gaming ball rolls on the rolling surface at a timing that allows it to face the attracting position of the rotating member, the gaming ball is difficult to attract to the attracting position.

[0476] In contrast, according to the second embodiment, the magnets 2372Rb are disposed at least at an attraction position where the gaming ball is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R, and at an upstream position that is upstream of the attraction position on the rolling surface, so that the gaming ball can be attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R by the magnetic force of the magnets 2372Rb disposed at the upstream position, and the gaming ball can be prevented from rolling while swinging on the rolling surface. As a result, when the rotating body 2372R is rotated and the gaming ball rolls on the rolling surface at a timing that allows it to face the attraction position of the rotating body 2372R, the gaming ball can be easily attracted to the attraction position.

[0477] Furthermore, the magnet 2372Rb arranged at the attraction position and the magnet 2372Rb arranged at the upstream position may be formed separately (i.e., two magnets 2372Rb), or may be formed integrally (i.e., one magnet 2372Rb).

[0478] Here, it is necessary to attract the gaming ball to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 2372R at the attraction position, but not to attract the gaming ball to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 2372R at the upstream position. To achieve this by using a difference in the magnetic force of the magnets 2372Rb (i.e., by arranging a magnet 2372Rb with strong magnetic force at the attraction position and a magnet 2372Rb with weak magnetic force at the upstream position), requires preparing two types of magnets 2372Rb with different magnetic forces, which leads to an increase in product costs.

[0479] In contrast, according to the second embodiment, the rotor 2372R is provided with a groove 2372Rc2 recessed in its outer circumferential surface to serve as an attraction position, and by embedding one magnet 2372Rb in the rotor 2372R, the groove 2372Rc2 can be used to set the distance from the magnet 2372Rb to the gaming ball at the attraction position (the distance from the magnet 2372Rb to the bottom surface of the groove 2372Rc2) to a dimension smaller than the distance from the magnet 2372Rb to the gaming ball at the upstream position (the distance from the magnet 2372Rb to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R). In other words, it is possible to attract the gaming ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R at the attraction position, while not attracting the gaming ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R at the upstream position. Therefore, two types of magnets 2372Rb are not required, and the shape of magnets 2372Rb does not need to be complicated, so that the cost of the product can be reduced accordingly.

[0480] Furthermore, when a game ball is attracted to the attraction position, the game ball can be held by the groove portion 2372Rc2. Therefore, when the game ball is sent in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body 2372R, it is possible to prevent the game ball from wobbling in the rotation direction of the rotating body 2372R, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the attraction of the game ball from being released.

[0481] Here, when a ball sending path KR5 is formed to send the game ball along the axis of the rotating body 2372R, there is a problem that the game ball cannot be attracted to the rotating body 2372R because the game ball rolls at a high speed or wobbles on the rolling surface.

[0482] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, a fifth ball sending path KR5 is formed radially outside the rotating body 2372R, which rolls the game ball and sends it to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 2372R, and this fifth ball sending path KR5 is formed by extending in the axial direction of the rotating body 2372R, and the magnet 2372Rb is extended upstream of the fifth ball sending path KR5 from the position where the rotating body 2372R and the game ball are attracted to each other.Therefore, the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb arranged on the rotating body 2372R slows the rolling of the game ball rolling on the fifth ball sending path KR5 and suppresses the wobbling of the second rolling portion 381c of the game ball, allowing the game ball to be attracted to the rotating body 2372R.

[0483] That is, the magnet 2372Rb disposed on the rotor 2372R is extended upstream of the second rolling portion 381c from the position where the rotor 2372R and the gaming ball are attracted to each other, so that the magnetic force of the magnet can be applied to the second rolling portion 381c. As a result, the action of the magnet 2372Rb pulls the gaming ball rolling on the first ball throwing surface toward the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R, slowing the ball throwing speed and eliminating the wobble of the gaming ball rolling unsteadily on the second rolling portion 381c. As a result, the gaming ball can be attracted to the attraction surface between the rotor 2372R and the gaming ball.

[0484] Furthermore, as the width of the second rolling portion 381c in the rolling direction of the gaming ball moves downstream, the partition wall 2381g arranged opposite the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 2372R moves closer to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. In other words, since the second rolling portion 381c narrows toward the downstream side, when the gaming ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c sways left and right in the ball throwing direction, the swaying caused by the rolling of the gaming ball can be suppressed.

[0485] In particular, in the second embodiment, the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb arranged on the rotating body 2372R acts upstream of the adsorption position between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball on the second rolling section 381c, so that the swaying movement of the game ball rolling on the first ball sending surface can be suppressed together with the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb, and therefore the swaying of the game ball can be suppressed over a relatively short rolling distance.

[0486] In other words, the game ball is provided with a partition wall 2381g that stands upright from the second rolling portion 381c while facing the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 2372R and partitions the rolling area of ​​the game ball, and the opposing distance between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 2372R and the partition wall 2381g is set to be smaller as it approaches the downstream side of the second rolling portion 381c, so that not only the action of the magnet at the upstream position (attraction by magnetic force) but also the guidance by the partition wall 2381g can prevent the game ball from rolling while swinging on the second rolling portion 381c. As a result, when the rotating body 2372R is rotated and the game ball rolls on the second rolling portion 381c at a timing that allows it to face the attraction position of the rotating body 2372R, the game ball can be easily attracted to the attraction position.

[0487] Furthermore, since the end of the groove 2372Rc2 on the upstream side of the second rolling portion 381c is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2372R, the magnetic force of the portion that slows the rolling of the gaming ball prevents the gaming ball, which is drawn in the axial direction of the rotor 2372R, from bouncing when rolling inside the groove 2372Rc2 of the rotor 2372R. As a result, the gaming ball can be smoothly attracted to the inside of the groove 2372Rc2.

[0488] Furthermore, since the length dimension of the third rolling portion 381d along the rotational axis direction is set to be larger than the length dimension along the rotational axis direction of the magnet arranged on the rotating body 2872R, even if the game ball is attracted to a location other than the attraction position of the rotating body 2872R (i.e., attracted to a magnet at an upstream position) and is sent as the rotating body 2872R rotates, the game ball can be received by the third rolling portion 381d.

[0489] As shown in Figures 95(c) and 96(c), when a game ball adsorbed to the outside of the first rotating body 2372Ra flows down the fifth ball sending path KR5 and is adsorbed into the groove portion 2372Rc2 of the second rotating body 2372Rc, as in the first embodiment, the game ball can be sent to the seventh ball sending path KR7 by rotating the rotating body 2372R while the game ball is adsorbed inside the groove portion 2372Rc2.

[0490] Here, if the magnet 2372Rb arranged inside the rotating body 2372R is extended in the axial direction of the rotating body 2372R beyond the position of attraction between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball, and the throwing direction of the game ball rolling on the third rolling portion 381d is formed along the axial direction of the rotating body 2372R, there is a risk that the game ball rolling on the third rolling portion 381d will be affected by the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb arranged on the rotating body 2372R.

[0491] In contrast to this, according to the second embodiment, a third rolling portion 381d is formed on the radial outside of the rotating body 2372R, on the opposite side of the second rolling portion 381c across the rotating body 2372R, which releases a gaming ball that has been attracted to the rotating body 2372R and rolls the gaming ball to send it off, and the third rolling portion 381d is formed with a downward incline from the second rolling portion 381c toward the third rolling portion 381d, so that the third rolling portion 381d can prevent a gaming ball that has been released from attraction to the rotating body 2372R from being attracted to the rotating body 2372R again.

[0492] That is, the throwing direction of the gaming ball at the third rolling portion 381d is formed in a direction away from the rotating body 2372R radially outward. This makes it possible to prevent the gaming ball sent to the third rolling portion 381d from being attracted again to the outer periphery of the rotating body 2372R or from being slowed down by the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb.

[0493] Furthermore, the third rolling portion 381d is formed to be larger than the axial dimension of the rotating body 2372R and is arranged in a position opposite to the rotating body 2372R, so that when a game ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 2372R other than the attraction position and sent to the third rolling portion 381d, the third rolling portion 381d can release the attraction between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball, and send the game ball to the third rolling portion 381d.

[0494] Furthermore, since at least a portion of the upstream portion of the magnet 2372Rb is disposed forward in the rotational direction of the rotor 2372R than the portion disposed at the attraction position, the magnetic force of the upstream magnet 2372Rb can be easily applied to the gaming ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c toward the attraction position. That is, the gaming ball is attracted toward the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2372R, and the gaming ball is prevented from swaying as it rolls on the second rolling portion 381c. As a result, when the rotor 2372R rotates and the gaming ball rolls on the second rolling portion 381c at a timing that allows it to face the attraction position of the rotor 2372R, the gaming ball can be easily attracted to the attraction position.

[0495] Furthermore, the bottom surface of the groove 2372Rc2 is inclined upward toward the upstream position and smoothly connects to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R, and is formed so that a gaming ball can come into contact with the bottom surface of the groove 2372Rc2 at least on the upstream position side, so that when a gaming ball is attracted to the outer circumferential surface side of the rotating body 2372R by the magnet 2372Rb at the upstream position and fits into the groove 2372Rc2 by the magnet 2372Rb at the attraction position, the gaming ball can be smoothly fitted into the groove 2372Rc2. In other words, the gaming ball is prevented from bouncing, making it easier to attract the gaming ball to the attraction position (groove 2372Rc2).

[0496] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 97 and 98. Note that the same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0497] In the above first embodiment, the radially inner surface of the groove portion 372Rc2 of the rotor 372R is formed in a plane perpendicular to the radial direction, but the groove portion 3372Ra2 in the third embodiment is described as being formed so that its radially inner surface is inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the radial direction.

[0498] Fig. 97(a) is a side view of a rotating body 3372R in the third embodiment, Fig. 97(b) is a top view of the rotating body 3372, Fig. 97(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XCVIIc-XCVIIc in Fig. 97(b), and Fig. 97(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XCVIId-XCVIId in Fig. 97(b). Figs. 98(a) and 98(b) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360. The cross-section of Fig. 98(a) corresponds to the cross-section of Fig. 69(a), and the cross-section of Fig. 98(b) corresponds to the cross-section of Fig. 69(b).

[0499] As shown in Figures 97(a) to (d), the rotating body 3372R in the third embodiment is mainly formed by a first rotating body 372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 3372Rc connected to the first rotating body 372Ra, and a magnet 372Rb arranged inside the second rotating body 3372Rc and applying a magnetic force to the outside of the second rotating body 3372Rc.

[0500] The second rotor 3372Rc is formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the first rotor 372Ra, and is disposed coaxially with and attached to the first rotor 372Ra.

[0501] The second rotating body 372Rc is a ball-sending member that attracts and sends game balls to its outer peripheral surface, and is mainly formed with a recess 3372Rc1 into which a magnet 372Rb is inserted, and a groove 3372Rc2 recessed into the outer peripheral surface radially outside the recess 3372Rc1.

[0502] The recess 3372Rc1 is recessed into the surface to which the first rotor 372Ra is attached, and is recessed to a depth substantially equal to the outer diameter of the magnet 372Rb. The recess 3372Rc1 is recessed into a substantially rectangular shape in side view, and one of two opposing inner surfaces is formed parallel to the recessed tip surface of a groove 3372Rc2, which will be described later.

[0503] The groove 3372Rc2 is recessed into a generally rectangular shape when viewed in the radial direction of the second rotating body 3372Rc, and has a generally triangular cross section when viewed in the axial direction of the second rotating body 3372Rc. That is, the groove 3372Rc2 is formed so that the recessed tip surface on the rotational direction side of the second rotating body 3372Rc is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body 3372Rc.

[0504] As described above, the recess 3372Rc1 of the second rotor 3372Rc is formed to have an inner surface parallel to the recessed tip end surface of the groove 3372Rc2, whereby the magnet 372Rb disposed inside the groove 3372Rc2 is disposed with the end of the magnet 372Rb on the rotation direction side of the rotor 3372R partially positioned radially outward (see FIG. 97(c)).

[0505] Next, the rotational displacement of the rotor 3372R will be described with reference to Figure 98. As shown in Figures 98(a) and (b), when the groove 3372Rc2 of the rotor 3372R is located at a position adjacent to the sixth ball throwing path KR6, if a gaming ball is thrown along the sixth ball throwing path KR6, the gaming ball is attracted to the groove 3372Rc2 by the magnet 372Rb disposed inside the rotor as in the first embodiment (see Figure 98(a)).

[0506] As shown in Figure 98(a), when the game ball is adsorbed to the rotating body 3372R and the rotating body 3372R is rotated around the axis of the connecting rod 371, the game ball is sent while being adsorbed to the groove portion 3372Rc2 of the rotating body 3372R, as shown in Figure 98(b).

[0507] In the third embodiment, as described above, the recessed tip surface of the groove portion 3372Rc2 on the rotational direction side of the second rotating body 3372Rc is formed to be connected to the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 3372Rc, making it easier for the game ball to fall out in the rotational direction of the rotating body 3372R.

[0508] That is, since no step-like difference is formed on the rotation direction side of the groove portion 3372Rc2, the gaming ball attracted to the groove portion 3372Rc2 can be easily displaced in the rotation direction. As a result, when the attraction of the gaming ball attracted to the groove portion 3372Rc2 of the rotating body is released due to shaking of the gaming machine main body, the gaming ball can be easily dropped to the seventh ball sending path of the subsequent ball sending path. As a result, when the attraction of the gaming ball to the rotating body 3372R is released, the gaming ball is prevented from returning to the sixth ball sending path, and the sending of the gaming ball from the rotating body 3372R can be stabilized.

[0509] Furthermore, in this case, since each of the rotating bodies 3372Ra, 3372Rc of the rotating body 3372R is formed in a cylindrical shape, the gaming ball can be sent to the seventh ball sending path KR7 along its outer circumferential surface. This releases the adhesion between the rotating body 3372R and the gaming ball, shortening the distance the gaming ball falls freely when it is dropped to the seventh ball sending path KR7, thereby reducing the impact when the gaming ball falls to the third rolling portion 381d of the seventh ball sending path KR7. As a result, the gaming ball can be prevented from bouncing up due to a collision with the third rolling portion 381d, and the sending of the gaming ball can be stabilized.

[0510] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the end of the magnet 372Rb on the rotational direction side of the rotor 3372R is disposed in a state where it is partially positioned radially outward, so that the magnetic force of the magnet acting on the outside of the rotor 3372R can be strengthened accordingly. As a result, it is possible to prevent the attraction between the rotor 3372R and the gaming ball from being released, and it is possible to further stabilize the throw of the gaming ball.

[0511] Next, a rotating body 4372R in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 99 to 101. Note that the same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0512] In the first embodiment described above, a case was described in which when a trailing game ball sent later adheres to a leading game ball that has been adsorbed to groove portion 372Rc2 of rotating body 372R, the leading game ball can be prevented from falling out of groove portion 372Rc2.In the fourth embodiment, a case is described in which when a trailing game ball sent later adheres to a leading game ball that has been adsorbed to groove portion 372Rc2 of rotating body 4372R, the leading game ball and the trailing game ball fall out of groove portion 372Rc2.

[0513] First, the rotating body 4372R in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 99. Fig. 99(a) is a side view of the rotating body 4372R in the fourth embodiment, Fig. 99(b) is a top view of the rotating body 4372R, Fig. 99(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body 4372R taken along line XCIXc-XCIXc in Fig. 99(b), and Fig. 99(d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body 4372R taken along line XCIXd-XCIXd in Fig. 99(b).

[0514] The rotating body 4372R is formed by including a first rotating body 372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 4372Rc connected to the first rotating body 372Ra, and a magnet 372Rb arranged inside the second rotating body 4372Rc and having magnetic force.

[0515] The second rotor 4372Rc is formed in a cylindrical shape with substantially the same outer shape as the first rotor 372Ra, and is disposed coaxially with and attached to the first rotor 372Ra.

[0516] In addition, the second rotating body 4372Rc is the part that attracts and sends the game ball to its outer peripheral surface, and is mainly formed with a recess 372Rc1 into which the magnet 372Rb described later is inserted, a groove portion 372Rc2 recessed into the outer peripheral surface radially outside the recess 372Rc1, and a recess portion 4372Rc5 recessed into the outer peripheral surface a predetermined distance away from the groove portion 372Rc2.

[0517] The recessed portion 4372Rc5 is formed as a curved surface (spherical surface) whose center is located radially outside the rotating body 4372R, and the radius of the sphere forming the curved surface is set to a dimension larger than the radius of the gaming ball.

[0518] In the fourth embodiment, the predetermined distance between the groove portion 372Rc2 and the recessed portion 4372Rc5 is set to a distance that prevents a trailing game ball from coming into contact with the radially outer end face (the outer peripheral surface excluding the recessed portion 4372Rc5) of the rotating body 4372R when the trailing game ball is adsorbed onto the preceding game ball in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R.

[0519] Next, a case where two game balls are attracted to the rotating body 4372R will be described with reference to Figures 100 to 102. Figures 100 to 102 are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390.

[0520] 100 to 102 correspond to the cross section of the variable unit 360 and rear surface base 390 in Fig. 69(a). Also, Fig. 100 to 102 sequentially show transition states when the rotating body 4372R is rotated.

[0521] 100, when two game balls are successively sent to the sixth ball sending path KR6 (the trailing game ball is sent following the leading game ball), the leading game ball is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 372Rb disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the groove 372Rc2 and is attracted to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2. In this case, the leading game ball is magnetized by the magnetic force of the magnet 372Rb, so when the trailing game ball is sent following the leading game ball, the trailing game ball is attracted to the leading game ball.

[0522] Also, as shown in Figure 100, before the trailing game ball adheres to the leading game ball and is lifted from the second rolling portion 381c, the trailing game ball is supported by the second rolling portion 381c and is not guided inside the recessed portion 4372Rc5, but is positioned outside the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R.

[0523] As shown in Fig. 101, when the rotating body 4372R rotates from the position shown in Fig. 100, the trailing game ball is lifted from the second rolling portion 381c. In this case, the trailing game ball displaces the position of attraction with the outer circumferential surface of the leading game ball due to its own weight.

[0524] Therefore, when the trailing game ball is lifted from the second rolling portion 381c, it is displaced toward the inside of the recessed portion 4372Rc5, so that the weight of the trailing game ball can be more easily applied to the leading game ball. As a result, it is easier to release the adhesion between the leading game ball and the inside of the groove portion 372Rc2, as shown in FIG.

[0525] As described above, when the trailing game ball is lifted from the second rolling portion 381c, it is displaced toward the inside of the recessed portion 4372Rc5. In this case, the weight of the trailing game ball can be applied to the leading game ball in accordance with the displacement caused by the lifting. As a result, as shown in FIG. 102, it is possible to easily release the adhesion between the leading game ball and the inside of the groove portion 372Rc2.

[0526] When the rotor 4370 is further rotated from the position shown in FIG. 101 with the leading game ball no longer adsorbed to the inside of the groove 372Rc2, the leading game ball and the trailing game ball fall onto the second rolling portion 381c. The leading and trailing game balls that have fallen off the rotor 5372R fall onto the upper surface of the second rolling portion 381c and roll on the second rolling portion 381c. Therefore, the leading and trailing game balls that have fallen off the rotor 5372R roll on the second rolling portion 381c and are guided into the recovery hole 373Ra formed in the inner cover 373R and are collected.

[0527] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when two balls are attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R, both balls can be made to drop off from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R. That is, when a gaming ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R and sent to the seventh ball sending path KR7, it is advantageous for the player, whereas when two balls are attracted and sent, it can be a disadvantageous situation for the player. Therefore, the result differs depending on whether only one ball is attracted or the second ball is attracted, and it is possible to make the player pay more attention to the gaming ball rolling on the sixth ball sending path KR6.

[0528] Here, there is known a gaming machine that includes a roughly cylindrical rotating member that is rotatable with its rotation axis facing horizontally, and a magnet that is disposed on the rotating member and attracts gaming balls to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member, and when the rotating member rotates with gaming balls attracted to the outer peripheral surface, the gaming balls are sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating member (in this case, when two gaming balls roll in succession toward the rotating member, the leading gaming ball (first gaming ball) is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member, and when the trailing gaming ball (second gaming ball) is attracted to the leading gaming ball (first gaming ball), both the leading gaming ball and the trailing gaming ball are sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating member. However, there is a problem with such gaming machines in that they are unable to sufficiently provide players with an interest in the game.

[0529] In contrast, according to the fourth embodiment, when a leading game ball is attracted to the magnet 372Rb of the rotating body 4372R and a trailing game ball is magnetically attached to the leading game ball, a release means is provided that makes it easier to release the attraction between the magnet 372Rb of the rotating body 4372R and the leading game ball, thereby preventing both the leading game ball and the trailing game ball from being sent in the rotational direction of the rotating body 4372R.

[0530] That is, when only the leading game ball rolls toward the rotating body 4372R and is attracted to the outer circumferential surface (magnet 372Rb) of the rotating body 4372R, the leading game ball can be sent in the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R, while in addition to the leading game ball, the trailing game ball also rolls toward the rotating body 4372R, and the leading game ball is attracted to the outer circumferential surface (magnet 372Rb) of the rotating body 4372R and follows the leading game ball. When a game ball is attracted, both the preceding game ball and the following game ball cannot be sent in the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R, so that when the preceding game ball rolls on the second rolling portion 381c (sixth ball sending path KR6) toward the rotating body 4372R, the player can be made to worry (become excited) that another game ball (i.e., a following game ball) may be rolling behind the preceding game ball. As a result, the interest in the game can be improved.

[0531] Here, in the fourth embodiment, there is provided a V entry member 382 into which game balls that are attracted to the outer surface of the rotating body 4372R and sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating body 4372R enter, and a recovery hole 373Ra into which game balls that are not attracted to the outer surface of the rotating body 4372R enter, and when a game ball enters at least the V entry member 382, ​​a profit is awarded to the player, or the profit awarded to the player by the ball entering the V entry member 382 is made to be higher than the profit awarded to the player by the ball entering the recovery hole 373Ra, which also aims to increase the interest in the game.

[0532] In other words, the player hopes that the game ball will be attracted to the outer surface of the rotating body 4372R and sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating body 4372R, in the hope of gaining a profit by the ball entering the V winning member 382, ​​or of gaining a higher profit than if the ball were to enter the recovery hole 373Ra, and also hopes that more game balls will be attracted to the outer surface of the rotating body 4372R and sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating body 4372R, in the hope of gaining more opportunities to gain a profit. On the other hand, when only the leading game ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R, the leading game ball can be sent in the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R (V winning member 382), but when a trailing game ball is attracted to the leading game ball attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R, not only the trailing game ball but also the leading game ball will not be sent in the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R, and both balls will lose the opportunity to enter the V winning member 382. Therefore, when the leading game ball rolls toward the rotating body 4372R, it is easy to make the player anxious (easier to get excited) that another game ball (i.e., a trailing game ball) may be rolling behind the leading game ball, and as a result, it is possible to improve the enjoyment of the game.

[0533] Examples of forms that provide a higher profit to the player include a form in which more prize balls are paid out when a ball goes in, a form in which the open time of the wing portion 312, which allows or restricts the ball from going in to the third ball inlet (between the recess 311a and the upper front cover 313) is extended by opening and closing the wing portion 312 which is formed to be openable and closable, a form in which the number of times the wing portion 312 is opened is increased, and a form in which the open range of the wing portion 312 is increased.

[0534] Furthermore, the release means is recessed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 4372R and is formed as a recessed portion 4372Rc5 that receives the trailing game ball attracted to the leading game ball, so that the trailing game ball can be brought closer to the lower side of the leading game ball in the direction of gravity, which makes it easier to increase the gravity direction component of the weight of the trailing game ball acting on the leading game ball. Therefore, it is easier to release the attraction between the leading game ball and the magnet 372Rb.

[0535] That is, when a trailing game ball is attracted to a leading game ball, the weight of the trailing game ball is used to release the attraction between the magnet 372Rb and the leading game ball, while when the trailing game ball is not attracted to the leading game ball, the attraction between the magnet 372Rb and the leading game ball is not released. Furthermore, since this switching can be achieved by means of using the weight of the trailing game ball, i.e., by the recessed portion 4372Rc5 recessed in the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 4372R, it is not necessary to provide a displacement member or drive source for switching, and product costs can be reduced accordingly.

[0536] Next, a rotating body 5372R in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 103 to 106. Note that the same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0537] In the first embodiment described above, when a trailing game ball sent later adheres to a leading game ball that has been adsorbed to groove portion 372Rc2 of rotating body 372R, the leading game ball can be prevented from falling out of groove portion 372Rc2. In the fifth embodiment, a case is described in which when a trailing game ball sent later adheres to a leading game ball that has been adsorbed to groove portion 5372Rc2 of rotating body 5372R, the leading game ball and the trailing game ball fall out of groove portion 5372Rc2.

[0538] In the fifth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the right side rotating ball portion 370R and the left side rotating ball portion 370L only have a drive means and a transmission means for transmitting the drive arranged in the right side rotating ball portion 370R, and the other shapes are formed linearly symmetrically around the center of the left-right direction of the variable unit 360, so detailed explanation of the rotating body 5372L of the left side rotating ball portion 370L will be omitted.

[0539] Figure 103 is an exploded oblique front view of the rotor 5372R in the fifth embodiment, Figure 104(a) is a side view of the rotor 5372R, Figure 104(b) is a top view of the rotor 5372R, Figure 104(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotor 5372R along the CIVc-CIVc line in Figure 104(b), and Figure 104(d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotor 5372R along the CIVd-CIVd line in Figure 104(b).

[0540] As shown in Figures 103 and 104, the rotating body 5372R in the fifth embodiment is mainly formed by a first rotating body 372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 5372Rc connected to the first rotating body 372Ra, a magnet 372Rb having magnetic force arranged inside the second rotating body 5372Rc, and a release member 5372Rd arranged along the outer edge of the second rotating body 5372Rc.

[0541] The second rotor 5372Rc is formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the first rotor 372Ra, and its axis is disposed coaxially with the first rotor 372Ra and attached to the first rotor 372Ra.

[0542] In addition, the second rotating body 5372Rc is formed with a groove portion 5372Rc2 recessed radially inward on the outer peripheral surface, a recess 372Rc1 formed radially inward of the groove portion 5372Rc2 and recessed into the side surface of the rotating body 5372Rc, and a recess portion 5372Rc3 cut out and formed between the opposing recess 372Rc1 and the groove portion 5372Rc2 and in the portion adjacent to the groove portion 5372Rc2.

[0543] The groove 5372Rc2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the radial direction of the rotor 372...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine having a first ball inlet and a second ball inlet disposed downstream of the first ball inlet in a gaming area, A path forming means for forming a path through which game balls that do not enter the first ball entrance and flow down can flow; A game board on which the game area is formed on the front side; A plate-like guide member is provided that is capable of protruding toward the front side of the game board and retracting from the front side, The path forming means includes a receiving section for receiving game balls that do not enter the first ball entrance and flow down, and an outflow section for causing the game balls that have flowed in from the receiving section to flow out from the path, and is formed from a light-transmitting material; The receiving portion is disposed upstream of the guide member, The game ball flowing down the path is guided by the guide member protruding toward the front side of the game board, and is allowed to enter the second ball entrance after flowing out of the outlet portion, The second ball inlet is disposed closer to the horizontal center of the game area than the first ball inlet when viewed from the front, The gaming machine is formed such that at least a portion of a specific ball entry area can overlap at least a portion of the guide member below the guide member in a gravity direction when viewed from the front, The gaming machine is characterized in that it is provided with a guide means configured to guide the gaming ball guided by the guide member to the second ball entrance.

Images